LANDLORD Hyndburn Homes today vowed it would drive out thugs from a troubled Church estate.

Police have already been successful in securing seven Acceptable Behaviour Contracts for youngsters in the Norfolk Grove area.

Now staff at Hyndburn Homes are trying to evict four tenants on the road for their alleged nuisance behaviour.

The move comes after months of problems, ranging from drug dealing and vandalism to anti-social behaviour and nuisance neighbours.

Insp Terry Woods, of Accrington Police said: "We have been working very closely with Hyndburn Homes to improve the lives of the law-abiding people who live in Norfolk Grove."

Acceptable Behaviour Contracts are designed to monitor the behaviour of people who have been causing trouble and are signed by the youngsters and their parents.

If the terms of the contract are broken the police can then take the evidence to court in an attempt to get an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

Nigel Fenton, head of neighbourhood services for Hyndburn Homes, said he wanted it to make it clear to all troublemakers that the company will not tolerate anti-social behaviour.

He said: "We are working closely with the police and other agencies to combat this problem. Police officers and Hyndburn Homes staff have interviewed parents of a group of youths responsible for causing nuisance and anti-social behaviour.

"Unfortunately few people will give us the evidence we need to take further action against problem tenants for fear of reprisals."

Mr Fenton said that the social landlord was set to appoint dedicated staff to work on anti-social behaviour.

Coun Mohammed Siddique-Kazi said: "What is happening is that tenants from other areas have been put in that area.

"When they are coming into the area the trouble has started. It is a good move to evict them but they should know the sort of people before they let these tenants come."