The Pied Piper of Birmingham has been spotted playing a flute through the city’s rat-filled streets as bin strikes continue to wreak havoc.
The man was filmed walking through the city centre on Tuesday (15 April) just one day after bin workers rejected the latest pay offer from the city council, as reported by What’s The Jam.
It follows a month-long stand-off between members of the Unite union and the Labour-run authority as bin bags and fly-tipped rubbish have piled high on streets.
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Unite said the city council’s “partial” offer was “totally inadequate” and did not address the potential pay cuts for 200 drivers.
The council has previously said the offer on the table was a fair one.
The flute-playing man attracted attention from local residents, who pointed out his similarity to The Pied Piper of Hamelin – a legendary character from a German folktale.
In the story, the piper was hired to rid the town of Hamelin of a plague of rats, which he successfully did by playing his pipe.
The townsfolk then reneged on their promise to pay him, leading the piper to take revenge by luring the town’s children away with his music.
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In the footage captured by a tickled Brummie, the Birmingham Pied Piper can be heard playing the Pink Panther theme tune.
The video was captured on Moor Street Queensway.
The bin strike started last month (11 Mar) and locals have been left outraged after spotting huge rats scurrying outside their homes as ‘disgusting’ rubbish continues to pile up.
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Members of the public have been left in stitches by the man’s antics.
Edy said: “Oh it’s the pied piper.”

Another added: “Is this the modern day Pied Piper chasing the rats out of Birmingham.”
One questioned: “Have the council hired the pied piper now, for the rats.”
One said: “They need the pied piper right now.”
Another added: “It’s the pied piper on his way to clear up all the rats.”

One said: “Pied piper come to get the rats.”
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