A PROPERTY branded by neighbours as the House from Hell after it became the haunt of drug dealers can reopen after a court heard safeguards were in place to prevent further trouble.

The house, in Mayfield Grove, Harrogate, was boarded up in January when the town's magistrates granted a three-month closure order.

The edict expired yesterday and police were back before the same court - but not to seek any fresh order.

Sergeant Nick Wattam told District Judge Roy Anderson police were seeking £451 costs to cover the money spent on clearing, securing and maintaining 38 Mayfield Grove following the raid under the 2003 Anti-Social Behaviour Act.

Sgt Wattam said that since the order, police, Harrogate Borough Council, the district's safer communities partnership and house owner John Willis had worked closely together to address the problems.

Sgt Wattam said there had been evidence of class A drugs supply from the premises, on-going disorder and, on one occasion, the discharging of a shotgun. In another incident, a crossbow had been held at the head of a resident.

The judge ordered payment of £451 to North Yorkshire Police Authority within 14 days.

Mr Willis told the judge he agreed with the costs.