NHS trusts have reported almost 20,000 incidents of pest infestation in hospitals over the past two years.

Outbreaks in 127 trusts which responded included rats in maternity wards, wasps and fleas in neo-natal units and maggots in patients' slippers.

Seven out of 10 trusts contacted pest controllers more than 50 times since 2006, but hospitals claim the figures show they are tackling the problem.