TOWN hall chiefs have been labelled ‘barmy’ amid claims Pendle Council refused to remove a wasps’ nest – because it required the use of a ladder.

Barnoldswick councillor David Whipp made the comments after a resident contacted him to complain about the incident.

They said their request for an officer to visit their property had been dismissed over the phone because the nest could only be reached with a ladder.

Coun Whipp, who represents the Craven ward, joked the local authority should recruit Spider Man to deal with such issues.

He said: “This is a crazy situation. Many wasps’ nests are at a high level in roofs.

“Presumably it’s down to stupid risk assessments.

Apparently they’re supposed to use a long pole to apply the poison.

“The council provides a service to clear wasps’ nests, but is saying that they won’t do them if they need a ladder. It’s completely barmy. Perhaps the council needs to advertise for Spider Man to carry out this work.”

Coun Whipp said he had asked Pendle’s director of environmental health to review the council’s policy and clear the nest at the resident’s house.

He said executive director Philip Mousdale had emailed him to say the borough’s environmental officers would contact the resident to see if anything could be done.

Pendle Council was unable to provide a comment.

Four years ago the installation of more than 30 flashing speed indicator signs in Lancashire was delayed because council officers needed training to climb a four-foot ladder.