CYRIL the squirrel is driving florist Diana Allan nuts after moving in to her shop.

Cyril hides during the day, but comes out to play at night and destroys her flowers.

The rogue rodent has already cost Diana hundreds of pounds in damaged goods - and has even prompted a 999 call from an alarmed passer by.

Diana, 36, is worried that after spending almost a week in her Yarm shop, the squirrel, which she has christened Cyril, doesn't want to leave.

She said: "We never see hide nor hair of him during the day. It is only when we lock up at night that he comes out.

"By looking at the state of my shop every morning, he is obviously enjoying himself.

"When I went into the shop at the weekend I found vases and pottery shattered on the floor with price tags of around £50.

"I've totted up the damage so far and it's totalled £600. This is no laughing matter - he's driving me to despair.

"He's chewed up dozens of expensive roses and loves swinging from sunflowers and snapping them. It's costing me a fortune."

Diana added: "I've tried catching the pest but he's just too clever. I've put nuts and raisins next to the open front door and even tried a wooden trap, but he's having none of it.

A police spokeswoman said: "We received a call to say there was a disturbance in a flower shop.

"Someone knew there was an intruder but didn't know exactly who - or what - the intruder was.

"Once it was established that a squirrel was causing all the trouble, we contacted the keyholder and did not need to make an arrest."