They buzz around our heads, trample on our food and deposit germs in our favourite meals. Despite the best efforts of the most accomplished swatters, houseflies continue to pester all who cross their flight path.

But now the much-maligned insect has been given an unexpected ally in its uphill struggle for a bit of good press.

The beleaguered species has been branded "endangered" in York by a new environmental report.

The Biodiversity Action Plan, drawn up by City of York Council with partners including English Nature, identifies species at risk in York, and a species of housefly - known as Phaonia jaroschewskii - has been afforded "priority species" status.

The fly comes about halfway down the priority list in York, after species such as the water vole, bittern and great crested newt.

A rare type of ground beetle, known as panagaeus cruxmajor, emerges as the most threatened member of the animal and plant kingdom in York. Only three places in the UK are known to have the beetle and only one has been discovered in York - with its exact location a closely-guarded secret.

Martin Hammond, an ecological consultant in York who helped prepare the report, said the housefly identified as a priority species lived at Strensall Common and was distantly related to the bluebottle.

He said: "It is in the report to acknowledge that it is there and could potentially need protecting if its habitat was threatened for any reason."

Pete Bowler, a spokesman for the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, said the plan was an opportunity to make serious progress in pulling back some British species from the "brink" of extinction.

see COMMENT 'Never hurt a fly'

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