RESIDENTS in Ferryhill Station have begged their MP, Prime Minister Tony Blair, to step in and take action to turn around their fortunes.

They held a public meeting in the Eldon Arms, attended by the Mr Blair's agent John Burton, to air grievances over housing, anti-social behaviour, vandalism, litter and crime.

It was said at the meeting that because of these problems, the 'Rows' area had less than 42 per cent occupancy.

Resident Andy Bain said: "It's like a ghost town in the Rows. From the 143 properties in the Rows, 84 are empty and there are only 60 occupied."

In Trafalgar Street only four of the 26 properties have anyone living in them.

Coun Burton also heard of problems with anti-social behaviour and youth crime.

Coun Brian Avery, who chaired the meeting, said: "The problems started when a few bad tenants were brought in by landlords and by theThree Rivers housing association. These people were being brought in from outside the area and causing all sorts of problems."

A survey was recently conducted about the future of Ferryhill Station, with one option including demolishing some of the Rows. The results of the survey are due in September.

Coun Burton asked the meeting what they would like 'in an ideal world.'

Neil Appleby, of Chapel Row, said: "I think I speak for all of us when I say we would just like a decent quality of life, something we haven't had in years."

Coun Burton promised to pass the concerns raised at the meeting on to Mr Blair.