ONE of the problems with the modern-day curse of "neighbours from hell" and communities that have their lives made a misery by out-of-control hooligans is the perception that little or nothing can be done.

Not so. Decent folk need not suffer. They can fight back.

How?

Take a leaf out of the book of the newly-formed residents' and tenants' group on the Longton Estate in the Audley area, of Blackburn.

There the respectable, law-abiding majority was subjected to the daily hell of drug dealing, under-age drinking, attacks on the old and disabled and abusive teenage gangs.

Instead of being cowed and resigned, they have handed the police and council the names of 15 troublemakers and the addresses of four "neighbours from hell."

Now, armed with evidence, the police have launched an action plan for the estate and council chiefs are warning that nuisance neighbours stand to be evicted.

It's a lesson for the silent majority everywhere - that they need not suffer in silence.

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