The recent feature from Pixar Studios about a Parisian rat working as a chef has sparked a boom in sales of the rodent.

The film Ratatouille has prompted the number of rats being kept as domestic pets to soar by 40 per cent.

The animated adventure was released in France this summer.

Gerald Moreau, head of Aprac, a pet rat support group, commented: “Since this film came out we have seen this vast increase in pet numbers, with the animal becoming truly fashionable.

“Every child is pestering their parents to get one, which is wonderful.

“Rats are much smarter, much more interesting than hamsters or mice.”

Ratatouille is released in UK cinemas on October 12.