A COMMUNITY could lose its shops because vandals have severely damaged the buildings.

Members of Wear Valley District Council's housing services committee will decide next week whether to demolish the shop units and flats in Davis Avenue, St Helen Auckland, near Bishop Auckland.

There are only two businesses remaining in the two blocks: a general dealer and a hairdressers. The local authority has started negotiations with the owners of the businesses to terminate their leases.

Council chairwoman Councillor Margaret Douthwaite, who also represents the area, said it was with regret that the council was having to face the decision.

But she said the empty units had been the target of some serious vandalism.

She said: "We have had so many complaints from residents because people are going around the back of the units and using drugs.

"The backs are in such a state that we have to do something.

"We were hoping to do the units up with Neighbourhood Renewal Funding, but we have been beaten by the vandals and druggies."

Coun Douthwaite said the council would do what it could to ensure the businesses could be relocated.

She said: "There is an empty unit at Melrose Drive which would be ideal for either business.

"We are not just going to demolish these buildings and leave a derelict site.

"There is a possibility that new, more modern units will be built in the future.''

The council has already started a big demolition programme, clearing most of the houses on the old St Helen Auckland estate.

Many of them stand empty and tenants cannot be found.

Councillor John Ferguson, who also represents the West Auckland ward, said that he agreed that something needed to be done with the units, but said that he would like to see one of the blocks remain to accommodate both businesses.

He said: "A lot of these shops have stood empty for a long time. People won't take them on because they are not sustainable.

"I agree with demolishing one of the blocks, but we need to make sure that nobody is going to lose their jobs and that the residents are not losing their facilities."