Leeds City Council, which has had complaints from neighbours, says they are in breach of their tenancy agreement.

Council regulations state that tenants can have only two cats OR two dogs in a local authority property.

The couple say the council moved them from a large property into a smaller one, and they are not harming anyone.

Roy Old, 45, and his wife Julia, 53, live in a one-bedroom ground-floor flat in Balmoral Chase, Hunslet.

They were moved to the house in June, last year, by council-run Aire Valley Homes Leeds (AVHL) when their street, Beverley View, Beeston, was earmarked for demolition.

They had a four-bedroom house with a garden but their new flat has no outside space.

When they moved they had five cats, but the number grew when they took in others for people who didn't want them.

"It started with two, then one of my stepsons had one which we took in," said Mr Old. "Then we took them in from other people. I like cats."

The couple also have a Jack Russell terrier, Lassie. "They get on all right," said Mr Old.

With no garden, the cats use cat trays inside the house.

The first the couple knew of a problem was when a housing official called and told them there had been complaints and the cats had to go.

A spokesman for AVHL said it was working with the couple to find new homes for the cats.

He added: "AVHL received a complaint about the number of pets owned by this couple.

"This is a breach of their tenancy agreement and they have been advised they need to reduce this number. AVHL has been working with the couple, the RSPCA and West Riding Cat Rescue Centre to help find the animals new homes.

"AVHL is working with them to resolve the issue. At no time have the couple been told they are at risk of eviction.

"We allow a maximum of two dogs or two cats in a council dwelling."