NOISY tenants have been evicted from their council home after a catalogue of complaints from angry neighbours.

Mrs Lorraine Whyte and her four children have been thrown out of their house in Plantation Road, Accrington, after breaching an acceptable behaviour contract.

Last week son Kyle, 19, appeared before Burnley Crown Court charged with starting a morning blaze which seriously damaged the property.

The court heard that before starting the fire, which sent flames shooting half-way up the wall, he had shouted to neighbours: "I have lived here all my life. I own this square."

Kyle, said to be drunk at the time, admitted arson and was sentenced to 200 hours community punishment.

Hyndburn Council officers had been working closely with police after a number of residents complained about the level of noise and anti-social behaviour from the house.

Neighbour John McCarthy, 64, said: "We are glad they have gone, though they were always friendly and polite with us. The level of noise throughout the night was just unacceptable, but we do understand that Mrs Whyte had a lot to deal with."

One of the neighbours, who all own their own homes, organised a petition to have the family evicted. But the Whyte family countered with their own petition pleading to be allowed to stay.

Mr McCarthy and his wife Janice said Kyle and his friends would often stand outside the house drinking well into the early hours of the morning.

And daughter Kirsty, 17, was often heard arguing with members of her family.

Councillor Peter Clarke, Cabinet portfolio holder for social housing, said: "The quality of life for neighbours living around this property has really suffered and I'm pleased that these troublesome tenants have been evicted and that the residents can now live in peace.

"This sends the message to other people who behave in this way that the council will not tolerate it."

Sergeant Bob Eaton added: "We have worked hand in hand with the council to resolve this issue and we've been called out to this property on many occasions after complaints from worried neighbours."