FORMER pit communities are being driven to the edge by drugs and anti-social behaviour brought in by housing benefit tenants, an MP has claimed.

Kevan Jones told the House of Commons that the two main towns in his North Durham constituency, Chester-le-Street and Stanley, have been hit by the death of the coal industry.

Pitmen's terraced houses were sold for as little £100 in the 1960s and 1970s. With the local housing market collapsing, these now change hands for £10,000.

''Private landlords have moved in buying up property at rock- bottom prices, often landlords with no connection with the area, letting out property to individuals, often on housing benefit, who have been unable to get housing elsewhere.

''Often, many of these tenants stay for a relatively short period of time, all too often bringing with them into small communities anti-social behaviour and drugs."

Mr Jones said one of his constituents told him she felt under siege, while others say drugs are taking over these villages.

A study he commissioned from Northumbria University highlighted the difficulties faced.

About half of the residents are on housing benefit, while the same number have no educational qualifications.

One area, Grange Villa, is in the worst three per cent bracket for child poverty.

The MP said the study underlined what he has found since being elected in 1991.

''Good, once-vibrant communities with still a sense of community, are under pressure and in the words of the report are 'close to the edge'," he said.