FLAT caps and ferrets are still very much in fashion if York man Stephen Reed is anything to go by.

The 52-year-old storeman has hit back at claims that Yorkshiremen have shed their traditional earthy image for a mineral water and meal at a restaurant.

A survey carried out by Yorkshire Butter claimed that not a single one of the men they interviewed admitted to owning the most famous of Yorkshire pets - the ferret.

The survey added that pints were out, while skin care regimens, holidays in the Med and trendy baseball caps now ruled the roost.

But Stephen revealed he keeps four ferrets at the bottom of his garden in Huntington, and says he is proud to be a Yorkshireman.

"I was born and bred in Yorkshire," he said.

"I used to have a flat cap and I love Yorkshire and black puddings.

"I have four ferrets in a shed at the bottom of my garden and I don't drink mineral water - only tap water."

Stephen's ferrets - Nobby, Lily, Fisher and Tiger - live in an £800 shed with a fan heater and a radio.

He added: "I have never been bitten by a ferret in my life, they are pleased to see me and come running over. "These surveys are rubbish. I am a traditional Yorkshire bloke and I think there are a lot of people proud to be so.

"A Yorkshireman will always admit he is Yorkshire through and through."

Updated: 10:47 Tuesday, July 22, 2003