MY family have been residents on the Deanway Estate for 24 years. Until recently, our main complaint against the council has been repairs and the time it takes to get them done.

Now, in its infinite wisdom, the council has suddenly decided to split a basically good estate by demolishing two thirds of it and transferring the remaining stock to Helena Housing. These are perfectly good houses which are only 30 or so years old and which were refurbished only about 10 years ago.

The residents feel that they were not consulted correctly on whether they wanted to move and there have been no explanations given. In fact, the tactics have been highly questionable.

My neighbours are 82 and 79 years of age, neither in good health. They have spent most of their married life in Sutton Manor and their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren all live close by. They are now being moved to the other end of St Helens by the council, regardless of what consequences this move might hold.

Another tenant of Deanway, after living 30-plus years in the same house, was moved crying and pleading with the clerk of works to allow her to remain in her own home.

The council insist they are transferring stock because they have not got the money to maintain the amount of properties due to the fact that they no longer receive European money. So the stock is being transferred to Helena Housing, so who owns Helena Housing? It isn't private, it isn't public. In actual fact, it is a subsidiary of the council so the stock is being moved from themselves to themselves, just under a new leadership.

Is this legal and would the European Court of Human Rights agree with the way in which we are being treated?

This is only the beginning. Phase 2 comes in two to five years. What houses are being pulled down then and how many people will need re-housing?

This Labour council is finishing what the Conservative Government started. The Tories closed all the pits, now Labour is destroying all the communities.

Where will it end and at what cost to the people?

Ken Wetton, Epping Avenue, Sutton Manor.