Moment rats the size of CATS terrorise shoppers in Asda as staff battle to trap beasts under buckets

RATS the size of cats have been causing mayhem in an Asda.

The monster vermin have been filmed scuttling down the aisles to the horror of onlookers.

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Sources claimed the "infestation" had been caused by "cutbacks" at the store.

Footage of two huge rats running around Asda's branch in Horwich near Bolton, Lancs, last Sunday was shared with The Sun.

In one film, staff spotted a rat diving under shelves and threw a caution cleaning sign towards it, forcing the vermin to make a run for it.

A brave worker then tried to scoop up the animal with makeshift paddles.

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A second film showed a rat running across the store, with terrified staff in pursuit.

A source said: "Asda has raised the issue. It's a real problem.

"There have always been rats outside the store, but now they are regularly seen inside."

Another source said: "There have been massive cuts to staff hours and cleaning workers and this is unfortunately the result.

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"It's not a case of 'There's a Rat in my Kitchen What Am I Going to Do'.

"This is reality and rats the size of cats are running around Asda."

Last night an Asda source said the store was closed when the footage was taken so no shoppers were aware of the rat running around the store.

It was "safely removed" and inspections have not revealed any more vermin.

Also, the idea that the rodent's existence had anything to do with cutbacks was "unsubstantiated".

An official Asda spokesperson told The Sun last night: “We have robust hygiene processes in place in all our stores and took immediate steps to resolve this issue.

"We can reassure customers that the store has been inspected regularly since then and no further incidents have been reported.”

It follows these huge rats that were filmed crawling over fresh pastries in Sainsbury's as the supermarket vowed to investigate.

'THAT'S GROSS'

Videographer Anthony Mitson captured the horrifying clip of two rats crawling over an uncovered butter croissant in an unknown Sainsbury's supermarket.

The creatures quickly scarper away when they notice Anthony - dashing behind the open-fronted stand.

The appalling clip quickly gained attention online - with gobsmacked shoppers saying "that's me done with supermarket bakeries".

A Sainsbury's spokesperson said the supermarket chain is "immediately investigating with the store".

One viewer wrote: "Nooooooo. See, that’s why I can’t eat from those open bakery things. That’s gross."

Another Twitter user added: "This video is a perfect example of why supermarkets need to stop selling pastry out in the open like this.

"It's not just the rats it's the flies too."

One shopper said they "don’t think they can buy the loose bakery" items any more.

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It comes after a supermarket was slapped with a £78,000 fine after hygiene inspectors discovered it was full of rotting dead rats.

And this is the horrific moment a shopper spots a giant rat climbing up the shelves in an Aldi supermarket.