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The legendary Pied Piper Of Hamelin may have to make a return in modern guise after officials reported an "explosion" in the community's rodent population.
A makeshift rubbish dump on the fringes of the north German town has been blamed for the vast increase in rats, which are threatening the town's 725th anniversary events, reports The Telegraph.
Hamelin spokesman Thomas Wahmes said the land has become a "refuge" for the unwelcome rodents.
Legend has it that a colourful ratcatcher arrived in the town in 1284 and lured rodents away by playing his mystical pipe. However, when the townsfolk failed to pay him, he returned on St. John's Day and used his sweet music to entice Hamelin's children away in revenge.
The youngsters followed the Pied Piper into a cave and were never seen again.
