PIGS are definitely not welcome at an historic North-East flat that has become available for rent.

Keeping chickens is also banned - and woe betide anybody who puts a lighted candle under the bed.

The rare vacancy has arisen at almshouses on Teesside. It has a set of quirky rules any prospective tenant will have to observe.

Trustees of the Sir William Turner's Hospital, at Kirkleatham, anticipate an avalanche of applications for the two-person ground-floor flat.

But whoever moves in to the Grade I listed complex will have to observe the rules.

The "laws" were introduced by the founder of the homes, Sir William Turner, who was knighted by Charles II. The rule about looking under the bed with a naked flame was prompted by the Great Fire of London, which happened 340 years ago next month.

As for the stricture on keeping farmstock, Sir William did not like mess.

Sheila Simpson, resident warden of the 25 almshouses, said: "Most of our almshouses are suitable only for single people. The larger, two-person flats fall vacant very rarely."

Residents of the almshouse, founded in 1676 by Guisborough-born Sir William, must be over 63 and able to take care of themselves and their almshouse. They must also specify a reason why they should be granted a charitable almshouse.

The almshouses were built to house poor people too old to look after themselves.

Depending on the size of the unfurnished almshouse, the weekly cost ranges from about £60 to £80. The successful applicant must be able to move in by the end of next month.

For more information, visit www.communigate.co. uk/ne/swthospital or telephone (01642) 482828 to request an application form. Applications from single people are also welcomed and will be added to the waiting list.