A ROW has erupted over a derelict garage site which is causing a headache for residents.

St James' Residents have slammed a councillor for interfering in their campaign to have the heavily vandalised garages in Ivinson Road demolished.

They claim the matter was under control before councillor Karimeh Foster set up a petition.

Chairman of the association Pat Blake fumed: "We've all campaigned very hard and are happy with the council's decision to clean-up the site and eventually demolish the garages. It's the residents who deserve the credit, nobody else."

But the allegations have been hotly denied. Coun Foster said: "I can't believe this issue has been turned into a party political row. I've just been doing my job as a councillor after being contacted by residents more than a year ago who were fed up with the state of the site. Since then I've been doing my best to get things moving."

Pauline Clarke, whose home backs on to the site, asked Councillor Foster to help.

She said "Somebody is going to be killed soon. During Easter I had to call the fire brigade at least eight times because youngsters has set fire to them.

"It's nothing to do with politics. Local people are only interested in getting rid of the garages and we're grateful for any support."

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