Figures show North Ayrshire Council spent £59,473.84 on removing pests from schools all across the authority.

Analysis of the numbers shows that between 2011-2016, more than £1.5million was spent across the country controlling the likes of cockroaches, flies, rats and ants in our schools.

South Ayrshire’s figure is fairly small in comparison at £29,464 in the same time span on the same problems. and East Ayrshire has the lowest number, spending £10,455.

The statistics show that nine out of 32 councils, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, East Lothian, Midlothian, East Dumbartonshire, West Lothian, Falkirk, East Renfrewshire, and Eilean Siar, have not spent any money on this issue in the last six years.

Glasgow was shown to have paid out the most on pest control – spending £132,919 during 2012 alone – and £460,893 between 2011-2015.

Scottish Conservative schools spokesman Ross Thomson said: “Given how much is spent each year, these statistics reveal a genuine problem with vermin in Scottish schools.

“Parents and teachers will quite rightly be disgusted at the thought of children being educated in unhygienic environments.”

A North Ayrshire Council spokesman said: “Incidents within schools or any of our facilities are thankfully extremely rare.

“When we do encounter a problem, our pest control team act swiftly and decisively to ensure all pests are removed humanely and as quickly as possible.”

The spokesperson added: “Anyone wishing to speak to one of our experienced Pest Control Officers can telephone 01294 324339 or email us on environmentalhealth@north-ayrshire.gov.uk”