RESIDENTS of a Teesside estate have told of their shock at council proposals to demolish their homes.

One disabled woman on the Hardwick Estate, in Stockton, said she would become a prisoner in her home if she had to move and lost the support of her neighbours.

Up to 500 homes could be demolished on the estate as part of a multi-million pound modernisation programme across the Stockton Borough Council area.

The council hopes to modernise 10,500 houses and demolish 1,000 others across the borough in a £160m programme over the next seven years. Money has been earmarked from the Government, private sector and local taxpayers for the scheme.

But some residents in the central area of the Hardwick Estate said the first they heard about the plans was when they received letters from the council.

Francis Owens, a Hardwick resident and manager of the Teesside Homeless Action Group, said: "People have had these letters out of the blue. There's one woman who must be in her 80s who might have to go, which is a hell of thing for her to do. Other parents think their children's education will be disrupted. The houses are good, solid houses. People want to live in them and other people want to move in. There's just no need for this."

May Kelsey, of Wolsingham Road, has lived on the estate for more than 40 years, bringing up six children despite suffering from disabilities.

She said: "I love it here and I just don't want to be moved. I find it hard to leave the house, and all I have to do is open the door and I know my grandchildren and neighbours will help me. There are problems with crime on the estate, but that's everywhere."

A council spokesman said detailed consultation would be held on the estate in the near future. He said: "We are aware that people are likely to have concerns on this matter and are more than happy to address them.

"The council recognise the need to look at the comprehensive regeneration of Hardwick and we intend to look at each case individually and address concerns sensitively."