A North Yorkshire housing estate has been invaded by an army of rats seeking shelter from the floods.

Residents on the Woodlands Estate and nearby Willow Rise in Tadcaster have reported seeing dozens of rats in their gardens and kitchens since November. Nigel Currey, Selby District Council's head of environmental services, admitted there was a big problem in the area caused by the floods, and said a full investigation was under way.

Joe Scrancher, 67, of Ashtree Walk, who has taken the issue up with Tadcaster Town Council, said pensioners in the area were "living in fear". He said the rats had come from the fields at the back of the estate to escape the floods.

He added: "In the last three weeks a lot of pensioners have found rats in their houses. It's very distressing and something needs to be done."

Pam Jakeman, 68, of Willow Rise, was left shocked and disgusted after waking to discover a rat had got into her kitchen and gnawed its way through a cherry pie, spreading it over the work surface and floor.

Updated: 14:55 Friday, February 09, 2001