A GROUP of residents who are opposed to having their homes demolished have formed an action plan to block the plans.

The Home Owners Association has been formed to stop 578 owner-occupied homes on the Mandale Estate in Thornaby being knocked down.

With Janet Wallace, 42, of Northallerton Road, as chairwoman, the group intend to hand in a petition to their MP Dari Taylor following a march of defiance.

"We feel that no one's feelings have been taken into consideration and the elderly people especially have been affected," said Mrs Wallace.

"We have been told that if we do not give up our homes we will be served with a compulsory purchase order.

"Surely this cannot be allowed to happen. What about our human rights?"

Stockton Council and its partners Nomad Housing Association are planning to carry out a £160m investment in housing across Stockton over the next ten years.

They say residents will be compensated for the stress of having to move.

The council's cabinet member for housing Councillor Martyn Ingram said: "We will meet with individuals and work out what they want and what their needs are.

"This is a dilemma for us but we have had to grasp the nettle if we are going to improve housing in the long term."

Ms Taylor said while she understood the group's concerns she was satisfied the council's strategy was the best for the area as a whole.

She added: "It is very difficult for people to leave the homes they love and have spent money on but when this work is done the standard of the homes there will be dramatically improved."