RESIDENTS of Pickering have been left miserable after swarms of flies have plagued the town during the summer months.

At a town council meeting, held last Monday, 15, councillors and residents said that up to 50 flies a day have been invading some homes, particularly around the Northway area of the town. The problem has become so bad that it has even spread to Middleton.

Councillor Margaret Lowe said that the flies have been a persistent problem for the past seven years and despite Ryedale District Council's best efforts, the bugs still remain an issue.

She said: "It has become an awful problem and just about everyone I have spoken to who lives here has said they have been affected by it.

"My neighbour has been absolutely beside herself with it because it has become so bad. Ryedale District Council has worked hard to try and solve the problem but it is still there."

The Town Mayor Coun Jo Andrews said that the problem had become so bad for one resident that they were forced to lock themselves in a separate room in a bid to avoid the swarming flies.

She said: "One resident rang me in tears because the infestation was so bad. She even locked herself and children in a bedroom because there were so many her door was totally black with flies."

Environmental health officers from Ryedale District Council have conducted numerous visits to the town in a bid to find out what is causing the problem and cited potential "sources from muck spreading and much heaps" as contributing to the problem.

Larvicide and “knockdown” sprays are being used by the council every other day to try and eradicate the infestations.

In a letter to residents a council environmental health officer said: "Thank you for your patience and understanding at a time which I know must be very difficult for you and your neighbours.

"Wind direction is critical in pinpointing the source but unfortunately some residents are confusing the direction saying where it is heading rather than where it has come from."

Residents are encouraged to keep a record of when they have been hit by an invasion of flies to help officers with their enquiries.