TENANTS accused of vandalism and anti-social behaviour have been evicted from two former North-East council houses.

Landlords said the homes, in Micklow Close, on The Lakes estate, in Redcar, east Cleveland, were trashed - while 500 needles were found in one of the tenants' bedrooms during a police raid.

Yesterday, three people were evicted from the two houses by Coast and Country Housing, the company which now owns former council homes in east Cleveland.

Bosses at Coast and Country said last night that they would not hesitate to evict others accused of serious anti-social behaviour.

A spokesman accused the tenants of being abusive and aggressive to staff, of damaging properties and of not allowing inspections or repair work to the properties.

The tenants will not be re-housed by Coast and Country and will be charged the cost of repairs.

Ronny Harris, director of operations at the housing company, said: "Our tenancy enforcement team monitored activities at the properties and we were greatly assisted by the police in gathering information.

"Our first priority is the well-being of the vast majority of our tenants."

A man has been convicted of possession with intent to supply in respect of the need-les found in one of the houses.