WHEN a cloud of wasps arrived in a York street, two householders geared up in "combat armour" to fight them off.

Joe Bell and Lindsay Carter sprang into action after the swarm settled on the door of Richard Wakeham's home in Rosslyn Street, Clifton.

Mr Wakeham was out, and after next-door neighbours Joe and Lindsay and others rang City of York Council's pest controllers with no success, the pair decided to tackle the beasts head-on. "It was pretty mad out there," said Lindsay.

"Eventually, me and Joe decided we'd have to deal with it, so we chose our moment and legged it out to our car."

The pair bought two cans of insect killer, then Joe donned jumpers and scarves, and headed out to blitz the wasps.

Lindsay later swept up the wasps and swabbed the pavement.

Mr Wakeham, who returned at 10pm, said he was "very grateful" for their actions.

Lindsay said: "It was just one of those funny things, but it certainly got the street stirred up.

"But there could have been a serious outcome, if someone had got stung, especially someone with an allergic reaction to stings.

"I'm very disappointed with the council, who said they couldn't come out."

Ruth Abbott, principal environmental health officer for the council, said: "It is very difficult for us to effectively treat a swarm.

"In the past, our pest officers have had to go out and basically chase the swarm around the city.

"We did give out two numbers for local beekeepers to at least two residents.

"We also gave out safety advice."

Updated: 10:09 Saturday, June 16, 2001