THE fight to save more than 200 homes from demolition starts next week for families living on a Bishop Auckland housing estate.

Residents will get the chance to air their views on the proposed demolition of 248 houses on Woodhouse Close Estate during a series of public consultation exercises.

Wear Valley District Council has approved, in principle, a plan to pull down the houses because many are empty and in a state of disrepair.

Properties affected are in the Teesdale Walk, Chees-mond Avenue and The Squares area, which members feel is in need of rejuvenation.

But families who have rented their homes long-term from the district council or bought their former council house have said they will fight off the bulldozers.

Campaigners have started a petition against the proposals which has been signed by dozens of people. They plan to present it to the council.

June Wallis, of Wensleydale Square, said: "The strength of feeling against the plans is growing.

"Many of the properties are family homes and we don't want to be moved.

"Our petition is being well supported and we are determined to stand up and fight for what we believe in.

"Most of us enjoy living here and take care of the area. A small number cause problems, but generally it is a friendly and decent area.

"Lots of us will go to the meetings to show how much we want to keep our homes."

The scheme is expected to be discussed at a public meeting of Woodhouse Close Residents' Action Group, in the community centre, Proudfoot Drive, tomorrow, at 7pm.

The council has sent letters to residents affected by the plan, inviting them to a series of consultation meetings.

They will be held at the community centre, on Monday, from 2pm to 4pm, Tuesday, from 10am to noon, and next Wednesday, from 7pm to 9pm, and at Auckland Youth and Community Centre, on Thursday, September 11, from 7pm to 9pm.

A council spokesman said: "No decisions have been finalised. We want to hear residents' views and the meetings will be a chance for genuine consultation."