FAMILIES whose homes are to be demolished have called on councillors to support their campaign for compensation all the way to Whitehall.

Wear Valley District Council's housing committee voted in favour of the demolition of houses on two Bishop Auckland estates on Monday.

But owner-occupiers on the St Andrew's Estate, where 120 homes will be demolished, plan to travel to London to call for help from the Government, which they say has a moral obligation to compensate them.

The 40-year-old metal-framed Drury-built houses and bungalows in St Aidan's Walk and St Cuthbert's Walk have asbestos in party walls and corrosive salts in the concrete foundations.

Council members approved their demolition after hearing that repairing them could cost more than £3m.

Councillors on the housing committee promised to support campaigning home owners.

But the local authority cannot offer more than the homes' current market values to buy back the properties.

Councillors also said they would call on the Local Government Association to support their efforts, because councils across the country are suffering similar problems with system-built houses favoured in the 1960s and 1970s.

Spokesman for the home owners, Nicola Sage, said: "This is stressing us all out. It is tough on tenants, owners and our children and we just want it all sorting out.

"We need more money to buy new houses and I hope the council does support our delegation to London, as it might make the Government take more notice of our plight."

The committee also agreed to clear homes in the old and new St Helen Auckland estates, because many stand empty and tenants cannot be found.

Ward councillor Sonny Douthwaite said the move would improve the quality of life for people in the area, because many properties had been vandalised.