A BLACK market in flood-damaged household appliances could spell disaster for unwitting buyers, say North Yorkshire police.

Following a spate of thefts in which dumped fridges, freezers and washing machines were taken from skips across flood-hit North Yorkshire, police fear the items could pose a serious health risk to anyone who buys them.

Seven people have already been arrested for stealing appliances.

Insurance companies are advising householders to dispose of the goods because they are broken, but also because they could have been contaminated by effluent carried in the flood water.

Police have recorded a number of incidents where goods have been stolen from skips.

Three people have been arrested in the Shipton Road area, and a further four in Barlby, near Selby - two of the areas worst affected by the flooding.

Inspector Howard Harding, of York police, said today that these items could be dangerous and could pose a health hazard.

"Many of them will have been immersed in water contaminated by effluent," he said.

He added that, despite being discarded, they were still stolen goods.

And he advised people offered a cheap second-hand electrical appliance to be on their guard. "If you are in doubt about an appliance's origin, don't buy it."

Lorries have been seen in York full of flood-soiled goods.

One was spotted yesterday at a car wash, where men were hosing down white goods obviously ruined in the floods.

Said an eyewitness: "It struck me as odd they weren't actually washing the lorry.

"They were washing electrical goods covered in silt. I can only think they would try to sell them on. Why else would you wash something that's broken?"

A spokeswoman for City of York Council said householders who discarded of appliances were acting on the advice of insurers.

"They are told they are no longer serviceable and are not safe or fit for their purpose.

"It would therefore be dangerous to use them and should not be used by anyone."

The spokeswoman advised flood victims who needed to dispose of household goods to contact the council, who will collect them and prevent them being stolen and sold on.