THE chairman of a residents' association is writing to the Prime Minister in his fight to get about 200 homes demolished and zero tolerance imposed on a Teesside estate.

Paul Tuffs, chairman of Grangetown Residents' Association, has been fighting for many months to get derelict houses on the Grangetown Older Housing Area demolished.

He also wants to reclaim the estate for residents from gangs of youths who have been terrorising the area.

Mr Tuffs is writing to Prime Minister Tony Blair to ask him to impose zero tolerance policing on the estate.

"These houses are a haven for youths and are very dangerous for firefighters and police when they're trying to bring fires or youths under control," he said.

"But the biggest fear is that young children, who have started making dens in the derelict houses, will be inside when youths set fire to them.

"The only real deterrent to anti-social behaviour on this estate is zero tolerance."

Councillor Chris Abbott, cabinet member for Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal, said the council was doing its best to get the properties down as soon as possible.

"There are still five families living on the estate and we haven't received all the paperwork on health and safety from the utilities confirming that they are safe to be demolished.

"I appreciate Paul Tuffs' work and support in this. He works very hard for the community and I can understand his anger about the delays that have been forced upon us."

A police spokeswoman said: "There have been problems in the area because of the state of the properties, but we already have positive policing and don't tolerate anti-social behaviour or criminality.

"Police will continue to work hard in the area and clamp down on anti-social behaviour.

"We are confident that once the demolition has gone ahead that the area will improve as the derelict houses are currently acting as a magnet for youths."