Queen's rat house

Manchester - The Queen reportedly owns a rat-infested terraced house.

Officials have written to her lawyers about the boarded-up property in Gorton, Manchester.

The house has been abandoned for over a decade after being owned by a firm that was dissolved. Councillors found the son of an ex-director, but he had no interest in claiming ownership. Under an historic law, since Manchester is in the County Palatine of Lancaster, ownership of "disclaimed" houses must automatically pass to the Duchy of Lancaster.

And since 1399, the estate and jurisdiction of the duchy has belonged to the reigning sovereign.

One resident, Stuart McCabe (52), "We've had rats in the backyard, pigeons, mice -- you name it."

The council wrote to royal solicitors Farrer & Co recommending use of powers to take ownership. The house can then be given or sold to the council or a developer, a local daily said.

Councillor Jackie Pearcey said, "In the past I've told officers I want action taken on a house and didn't care if the Queen owned it. But it's the first time a house has actually been owned by the Queen."