RESIDENTS in an area plagued by anti-social behaviour said a visit by a Government minister was an "historic day" for the community.

Woodnook in Accrington has been blighted by problems with unruly youngsters.

Vandalism, drinking and drug taking are said to be common and the high number of rented properties in the area has caused problems with nuisance neighbours.

The troubles have led residents to describe the area as "more dangerous than a war zone".

Yesterday the area's issues were taken to the top when Local Government Minister Phil Woolas MP met with community group representatives, MP Greg Pope and local borough and county councillors.

Speaking after the meeting, at Woodnook Baptist Church, Royds Street, Alf Green, chairman of Woodnook Forum, said: "This could be a very historic day for Woodnook.

"We have been knocking on the door for something like this to happen for many years. Now it is possible that we have got into the right people's ears."

Brenda Radcliffe, 66, chairman of the Woodnook Residents' Community Association, added: "I think the minister has listened and taken on board the concerns we raised.

"We have problems with anti-social behaviour, empty properties and high unemployment.

"But the crux of the problem is that we have landlords who are more interested in getting their rent, than getting in quality tenants. We also then have a lot of people moving in and not staying for long, so they don't have the same pride in the area."

Mr Woolas said he had discussed ways to tackle some of these issues, including a mandatory accreditation scheme to make landlords more responsible for their tenants and withdrawing housing benefit from nuisance tenants.

He said: "We have an area here with good housing and a strong community who want to live here.

"So we need to work out how to get the empty properties back into use and stop transient tenants causing problems.

"I don't think it is going to take a lot of money, but it is going to take some imagination."

Mr Pope, who arranged the visit, said: "The message we want to leave people with is that there are problems, but we are not going to give up on them.

"There is a political commitment to improving the area and making the community work."

Mr Woolas also visited the Neighbourhood Management Office, in West Accrington, and the home of Joan and David Coupe, in Lister Street, which has been given a facelift using money for the Government-funded Elevate Housing Market Renewal Scheme.