A pair of peeved pensioners packed a container of rats into a Poundland bag to bring to a council meeting.
Anita Simpson, 70, and her husband Victor Simpson, 86, had caught three of the rats in their garden at the Glebe in Worcester Park earlier in the day.
They brought them along to the Maldens and Coombe neighbourhood committee on Wednesday night as a cry for help after Kingston Council refused to help with their vermin infested area.
But the couple, who have now caught 22 rats in their garden with Homebase traps, did not need to bring out their party trick as councillors at the meeting were sympathetic.
Old Malden councillor David Fraser said: "They pay the highest tax in London. I think they deserve a better service."
A full investigation by council health officers into the rats has been ordered.
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