Rats have been spotted by workers at an Aldi regional distribution centre scurrying around an outdoor pallet area.

The rodents have been caught on camera and are said to make regular appearances during the night shift at the Isle of Sheppey site.

But the discount retailer has branded it an “isolated sighting” and says independent pest control services have been to the warehouse in Neats Court, Queenborough and confirmed “no evidence of pest activity”.

However, a worker – who wished to remain anonymous – said they first heard of wider issues from fellow colleagues before noticing the rats when working outside.

They told KentOnline: “It became massively apparent in the last year and a half [there was a problem] but people have become de-sensitised by it.

“It is not a nice working environment. In this day and age you should not be working around rats, it is like the Victorian times.

“I find it hard to believe that there are not measures that could be taken. I find it hard that this has been accepted as normal.”

They said the rats are often seen climbing the pallets and running around the area during the night – activity which has been caught on camera and shared with KentOnline.

The worker has also written to Swale council with their concerns.

A spokesman for the local authority confirmed it will be investigating the claims and added: “We have received a report of concerns at the site, and we are investigating the matter.

“Whilst it is not realistic to expect external areas of any business to be completely pest free, we will be checking to make sure procedures are adequate to control pests in line with health and safety, and food safety legislation.”

The worker says they have reported their concerns to their supervisors who have told them the issue has been passed onto senior management.

But the employee still feels like nothing is being done despite going through the right channels and fear staff are getting ill from working around the rats.

Aldi says it has no record of colleague illness due to rodent activity.

“It is a health and safety issue. They are burying their heads in the sand,” the worker told KentOnline. “They have a duty of care and there is no recognition of the health of their workers.”

And although they understand the regional distribution centre, in Neats Court, Queenborough, is surrounded by a nature reserve which is where the rats are likely from, they feel more could be done to stop them entering the site.

They added: “I appreciate where it is but in this day and age I find it hard to believe there are not extra measures that could be taken.”

Aldi says it has put in additional preventative measures such as power washing and clearing debris.

A spokesman for the discount retailer said: “Aldi sites operate to very strict standards and this appears to be an isolated sighting in an outdoor yard area.

“Our independent pest control contractor has confirmed that there is no evidence of pest activity within the site.”