A huge rat measuring around 4ft has been found by workmen near a London playground. <br />Gas engineer Tony Smith said he spotted the giant rodent while working at a block of flats - describing it as the "largest I've ever seen in my entire life". <br />The 46-year-old said the animal was dead when he found it on land in Hackney Downs that backed on to a railway track. He took a picture of the creature being held by his electrician friend, James Green. <br />Mr Smith said: "This is the largest rat I've ever seen in my entire life. <br />"I've got a cat and a Jack Russell and it was bigger than both of those put together. <br />"I'd say it was about four foot. "We were going to stick it in the bin, but before we did we thought we better take a picture of people won't believe it's real." <br />Tony said the estate where he was working had an infestation of rats, and poison was left around to catch the rodents. <br />"The bins get left open nearby so these little fellas have a pretty good diet," he said. <br />"They eat fried chicken and rice all the time."
