RESIDENTS who fear that police may be able to cop an eyeful of their everyday life have complained to Middlesbrough planners.

Ted Johnston, 64, and his neighbours in King Street, South Bank, say a proposed police station on the former Oak Leaf pub car park will allow officers to see into their back gardens and bedrooms.

"If this plan goes ahead the police will be able to look straight into our houses and people won't like it," said the former shipyard plate fitter.

"It will also mean the end of sunbathing outside during the hot weather.

"At the minute we get the sunshine in the morning but the new building will block the light and wreck the gardens."

Cleveland Police is seeking new, smaller premises because custody suites across Teesside are being housed in a £20m super-station in Middlesbrough.

Their current South Bank offices in Middlesbrough Road will be too large and they hope the planned smaller station at the corner of Hampden Street and Normanby Road will be completed by Spring 2004.

Mr Johnston said noise from police activity and increased traffic would also disturb residents.

"Having a police station on the doorstep isn't going to make it crime free and it will not stop businesses down the road getting broken into," he added.

But a force spokesman said: "It makes more sense to be in the heart of South Bank rather than in an old building further away which is being run inefficiently.

"We want be seen as an intrinsic part of the community and be on hand to help with any problems people may have."

Middlesbrough Borough Council's planning commitee yesterday agreed to visit the site before deciding whether the plan should go ahead.