AN eyesore street that contains the country's cheapest house is to be demolished.

Number 57 Costa Street in South Bank, Middlesbrough, hit the headlines last month after it was valued at £5,000 - earning it the title of the UK's cheapest place to live, said the Land Registry.

Now Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has pledged that its first priority to tackle the area's housing problems is to bulldoze Costa Street, and adjacent Aire Street and Salisbury Terrace.

An ex-Costa Street resident, who moved out two years ago, said: "Personally, I think the quicker the houses come down the better. They're an eyesore.

"I lived there with my husband for 45 years, but we feel nothing towards the house. I don't believe anyone has bought a house there recently, but if they have, they must be completely mad."

South Bank has more than 1,000 terraced houses, many vacant because of fears over crime and anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Chris Abbott, cabinet member for housing and neighbourhood renewal, said: "We are working on the details for the acquisition and relocation processes."

Consultants Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners drew up a report to tackle the high vacancy rate and plunging home values.

They drew up options which were included in a questionnaire, completed by 235 residents.

The option backed by 50 per cent of people was to demolish virtually all older housing in South Bank, as well as more recent, social and private housing north of Redcar Road.

It also included demolishing the South Bank shopping centre, building 800 homes and a community woodland planting.

Coun Abbott said: "The cabinet has not considered the options and we will not do so until there has been further consultation and more detailed assessment of the recommendations."