LONG-SUFFERING residents were celebrating yesterday as police closed down a flat used by crack dealers and prostitutes.

Cleveland Police were granted a closure notice at Teesside Magistrates' Court for the flat in Bickersteth Walk, Stockton.

For more than 18 months, prostitutes and drug dealers have been plying their trade at the address, bringing unwanted visitors and anti-social behaviour.

Evidence has been gathered from neighbours by police, as well as Stockton Borough Council and Tristar Housing.

The court heard how tenant Stuart Gilles, 46, allowed his flat, in the Parkfield area, to be used by drug dealers and drug users, as well as prostitutes.

One neighbour spoke of her delight as Mr Gilles and his associates were removed from the property yesterday.

She said: "My grandchildren can't play out - it has been a nightmare living around here.

"I'm just glad to see the back of him and the people he associates with."

Visitors to the flat caused regular disturbances in the area and possession proceedings were instigated to remove Mr Gilles from the flat - which failed to stop the mounting anti-social behaviour.

Finally, the police, Tristar Homes and the borough council were granted an injunction against Mr Gilles, limiting visitors to his home and stopping him speaking to witnesses in the case.

However, two court appearances for breaches of that injunction again failed to stop the problems so police, and Tristar Homes' anti-social behaviour reduction officer, decided to use their powers to close the property.

PC Les Gray, the ward officer for Parkfield, said: "Drug dealing of any kind will not be tolerated and Cleveland Police continually target those individuals who are involved.

"We always act on information received and need the public to play a part in tackling this problem which, if left unchecked, can badly affect communities."

Dave Pickard, housing management director for Tristar Homes, said: "We are simply not prepared to stand for this sort of behaviour by any of our tenants."

"This action demonstrates how closely our anti-social behaviour team work with the police to stop anti-social or irresponsible tenants wherever possible.

"The neighbours of this man can now look forward to a big improvement in their quality of life."