MORE than 200 homes will be demolished as a council attempts to clean up a troubled estate.

Wear Valley District Council has decided to knock down 248 properties on the Woodhouse Close Estate in Bishop Auckland because many are standing empty and are in a bad state of disrepair.

At a special meeting of the council's housing committee it was agreed that the estate was in dire need of rejuvenation and demolition seemed to be the only way forward.

The committee heard that the area, which encompasses Teesdale Walk, Cheesmond Avenue and what is known on the estate as 'the squares' had become an undesirable area to live.

Residents Doreen Kett and Norman Button said that the area was once the 'place to be' but a minority had destroyed the homes through vandalism and drug abuse.

Mrs Ketts said: "It is a shame really because there are some beautiful homes in that area. We have a good community spirit around here and there is a lot of excellent work going into improving the estate, especially at the Auckland Youth and Community Centre.''

Mr Button said: "I can understand the council's point of view. These houses are hard to let. People don't want to go into that area because of the trouble.

Director of housing at the council Michael Laing said demolition would be carried out in phases and be handled as sensitively as possible.