A DECISION will be made today on the future of a group of houses in one of Middlesbrough's run-down estates.

At a cabinet meeting, Middlesbrough borough councillors will discuss whether 12 properties in Tower Green, St Hilda's, should be demolished.

In a report, renewals manager Brenda Foster suggests that the houses should be bought from their owners, either through negotiation or compulsory purchase order, and then pulled down at a cost of £120,000.

There were originally 121 houses in Tower Green, but 40 were demolished by a housing association two years ago and less than 60 of those that were left are occupied.

In her report, Ms Foster said: "Some of the empty properties have been severely vandalised and are in the position where it is not practical to secure them against unauthorised access.

"The council has received 126 complaints over a five-year period from residents, property owners and investors about the dereliction in the area.

"The St Hilda's Community Partnership is working with the council to manage the decline in the areas.

"Landlords are unable to find tenants and property is not selling. The equity in the houses has reduced from around £30,000 in 1991 to £5,000 now."

As a short-term solution, the council will be asked to approve the demolition of four blocks of houses where the owners are happy to sell, while considering the future of the whole area.