PEST control officers from the Town Hall have this week taken over responsibility for thousands more homes on privately-run housing estates in London’s East End. A deal has been agreed by Old Ford Housing with Tower Hamlets Council to use the public pest control service.

PEST control officers from the Town Hall have this week taken over responsibility for thousands more homes on privately-run housing estates in London's East End.

A deal has been agreed by Old Ford Housing with Tower Hamlets Council to use the public pest control service.

Tenants now call direct and get the same service as families on estates run by four other major East End social landlords.

It means 4,000 additional families can dial 020-7364 5007, or email to get any rats, mice, cockroaches, bed bugs, ants or other health hazards sorted, rather than having to get in private firms. Office hours are 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, 8am-1pm Saturdays.