A HOUSE branded a 'nightmare' by neighbours after a string of rowdy parties has been closed by police.

Officers joined forces with council officers to shut down 82 Fir Street in Nelson after months of serious nuisance and disorder.

Aziel Sweeney, 19, and his pregnant girlfriend Stacey Connolly were evicted yesterday (Thurs) after a closure order was granted by magistrates.

The order is believed to be the first to be imposed in Pendle for more than five years.

Residents said they could now 'get some sleep' while police urged private landlords to tackle nuisance tenants.

The action was taken after neighbours complained of all-night parties, loud music and people swearing and fighting in the street.

People living nearby were afraid to let their children play out because of the anti-social behaviour at the mid-terraced house.

Neighbour Stacey Broadbent said: "This is great - at least we might be able to get some sleep now.

"There were nights when we would be woken up at 3am or 4am by what went on there.

"We were always calling the police. And then our children would come in swearing because that's what they'd heard down the street.

"We used to get drunken girls coming down here at all times. But at least now our local PC, Dave Richardson, is doing something about it. But we don't know who'll end up living there next."

Police and Pendle Council successfully applied to Reedley Magistrates' Court for an anti-social behaviour closure order, which will result in the property being boarded-up for three months.

Chris Kehoe, representing Lancashire Constabulary, told magistrates: "This was very much a last resort - a number of different approaches were tried before this was considered."

Pc Richardson, the community beat manager for Southfield and Marsden, worked with Pc Diane Fitzpatrick, Pendle's anti-social behaviour case worker, and council officers, to secure the order, after repeated complaints by neighbours.

Pc Fitzpatrick said: “This house had become a nightmare for local residents, making their lives a misery. The closure order should now bring the local people some much-needed respite.

"This action should send a clear message to private landlords that they can no longer ignore tenants which are causing major anti-social behaviour in the community and, if they do, they will lose significant revenue following a closure order."

The couple, now believed to be living nearby with friends, have been referred to the borough's family intervention project for housing assistance.

Coun Sheila Wicks, a Southfield ward member, added: "The anti-social behaviour experienced by residents has had a major impact on their quality of life. I’m delighted our partnership approach has been successful."

But some neighbours believed Connolly, who held the tenancy for the property, had been treated harshly by the authorities.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "Most of the noise which has been going for the past six months has been coming from another house.

"I know Aziel and I am a friend of Stacey's and the other place is much louder. I don't agree with what's happening at all."

And another female neighbour added: "She's pregnant - how can they kick her out? It's not right, they're not thinking about the baby."