What's in a name? Plenty it seems if you live in West Street, Swinton, near Malton.

The parish council has decided that all 50 houses in the street should be numbered.

At the moment about half the homes have numbers, the rest having only names.

But the idea, which is due to get the backing of Ryedale District Council tonight, has angered some householders.

Samantha Williamson, who lives with her husband, Shaun, and son Joshua, four, in Snowden Cottage, West Street, says the idea is ridiculous.

"We are not going to comply with this, I do not know why they are doing it. It seems such a shame that the old world is being taken away," she said.

"The houses in this street have been named like this for years and are of great historical significance - a man named Snowden lived in this house. There has been a lack of communication from the council. We have received one letter about this and that's all.

We voted 'no' to the scheme and we are still in defiance." Susan Fox, who lives in Jesmond Cottage said: "I am not chuffed. For me the name of the house evokes a country image which I like. Without the name there isn't so much character."

However, West Street resident Joan Rapp is all for numbering: "It's a brilliant idea. People calling at the house need to know exactly where it is.

"We've had problems with getting post in the past, but now anyone delivering a parcel will see our number."

David Summers, of Ryedale District Council, comments: "It is far more efficient for the postal service, though the change was actually requested by a resident. It is also more desirable if the emergency services are needed.

"There is no reason for people to lose the names of their houses. They can simply keep the name and follow it with the street number."

The idea mirrors a similar scheme at Pickering, which ended in controversy.

Householders in Middleton Road complained there was not a consultation period when the town council requested that houses were re-numbered.

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