RESIDENTS are standing firm against council plans to bulldoze their homes.

Some people living in the demolition threatened community of St Hilda's, in Middlesbrough, are refusing to allow council surveyors into their homes to carry out property valuations.

Middlesbrough Council and regeneration company Tees Valley Regeneration have decided to include the neighbourhood in the £500m Middlehaven redevelopment.

The decision has not found favour with some of the 300-strong population of St Hilda's where there are 279 houses, 89 of which are empty.

Resident Harry Brown, whose home would be knocked down to make way for landscaping, said: "There are some people like myself who are refusing them entry to evaluate. I have no intention of selling. As far as I am concerned that right is mine and the house is mine.

"I pay my council tax and they have no right whatsoever to bulldoze our houses.

"You work hard all your life and expect to be able to retire and live for the rest of your life in peace.

"Quite a lot of the tenants have said they are moving out, but not the homeowners who are very concerned. Older folk are being moved out all over the place and families are getting split up.''

Another resident Terry Dixon, who won an award for community work on the estate, said: "We are not going to give in. We are going to give Middlesbrough Council a run for their money.''

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon told a public meeting of St Hilda's earlier this year, that their homes would be coming down.

Mr Dixon said: "He cannot dictate to us. People have a democratic right to live in their homes." He is also worried about the effect the threat of demolition is having on elderly residents who have lived in the community all their lives - including his father who has been made ill with stress.

Mike Brider, Middlesbrough Council's communications manager, said: The council will clearly go back to those residents and try to get them to collaborate and cooperate with the council. We have a policy position and we want to meet their needs.

"Given the strength of feeling in the area, it was to be expected there would be some residents would feel like this, but it is on the small scale."