THE end is nigh for the high rise flats in Moor Lane after councillors voted to demolish all three of the blighted blocks.

The decision follows a series of residents' meetings in which the majority of tenants said they did not want to return to their homes after being evacuated three weeks ago.

This week The Citizen went out to Moor Lane to find out what you think about the flats.

Mark Jackson, 31, who owns the fishing tackle shop in Moor Lane, said: "There are a lot of drugs and they are the main source of crime. I get worried for my safety and I'm not as vulnerable as a lot of people."

Nineteen-year-old student Nicola Greatorex, who lives yards from the tower blocks, says she is frightened to walk home at night.

She said: "Pulling the flats down would be a brilliant idea.

"The kids that hang around the streets scare me. I would like to see something nice there, like student halls or shops."

Bill Thompson, who works at British Telecom in Moor Lane, believes demolishing the flats would benefit those that have been evacuated.

He added: "There has been enough taxpayers' money spent on these buildings that nobody wants.

"The council should move the tenants further out of the area. That way they can get a chance to rebuild their lives where crime isn't so concentrated."

Of course, there are local residents that will miss the tower block tenants.

Caroline Leat, 34, from Deepdale Road, Preston, said: "I lived in this area for 10 years and love this community. They should leave the blocks where they are.

"There are 96 flats in each building and all those people are homeless -- it's such a shame.

"My mother lived in these flats but moved out just before the evacuations.

"I'm glad she did because I would of hated her to have gone through the trauma of getting turfed out like everyone else."

If you have something to to say on this or any issue why not drop us a line at Citizen Newsdesk, 3 Winckley Court, Winckley Square, Preston. PR1 3JJ, e-mail jwillis@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk or call us on 255523.