People using a popular County Down beach are being warned that a pest control programme to deal with rodents is beginning on Thursday.
Ards and North Down Borough Council have said that following growth in the rodent population at Millisle Beach, the programme will run for two to three weeks.
Poison bait will be used on the beach to target known burrows, the council said.
Signage has been put in place on the beach to advise the public and council officers will be visiting the site over the coming days to engage with beach users.
The council is advising the public to keep all pets on leads and under strict control at all times, on all parts of the beach.
People are also being asked to have children supervised at all times, to take food waste away with them and not to feed the birds.
The council said that in the case of accidental poisoning, people should contact an emergency department as soon as possible.
In the case of accidental poisoning of pets, people are being advised to contact their vet.
