FYLDE council is coming under more pressure to control residents in problem homes in St Annes.

St David's Community Action Group are continuing to express their concern about houses of multiple occupation which attract police attention and cause social problems.

They are subject to a registration scheme but the action group wants special controls, as used in other seaside towns, to curb the effects of such places.

However, the council says that the registration scheme, which doesn't begin until January, should be given a chance to work before it is changed.

Group chairman Peter Vodden said he knew of one house which had had around 30 police visits in 12 months.

"This is very disturbing for the residents it wakes up at night and it causes fear of crime.

"Visibility of police in such circumstances isn't a reassuring presence. When a community bobby walks down the street that makes you feel better. When the vans turn up in the middle of the night it makes you feel worse,"

He said the public were becoming increasingly alarmed about anti-social behaviour arising from certain properties.

Many properties were well managed by their landlords and had law-abiding tenants but there were problem properties as well.

He said they were lobbying the council and hoped that by raising awareness they would prompt the council into action.

But senior enviromental health officer at the council, John Cottam said the registration scheme was a model one recommended by central government.

He said there had to be government approval to attach special conditions.

Most concern seemed to revolve around one particular HMO.

"It may be a little premature to attach special conditions before we have given the registration scheme a chance."