RABBITS which have dug up an old rubbish tip should be destroyed with ferrets, Kempsey Parish Council was told.

County Councillor Bob Bullock put forward the suggestion after hearing about the problems caused by burrowing rabbits on Kempsey Common.

The rabbits have brought glass and crockery to the surface at a landfill site used by the former Upton-upon-Severn Rural District Council. Malvern Hills District Council has taken responsibility for clearing up the mess, but has told Kempsey Parish Council it cannot take responsibility for getting rid of the rabbits.

It was 40 years since the site had been used and the presence of rabbits was no reflection on the waste disposal methods used, members heard.

It would cost £450 to gas the colony of rabbits, fill up the holes and cover the area with chicken wire, but neither council is prepared to pay the bill.

At this week's meeting of the parish council, John Michael said it was irrelevant that the site had not been used for 40 years.

"If it is not their responsibility, why do they pick up the rubbish?" he asked.

Members agreed that it was only because of the rubbish that the rabbits were causing a problem.