A FAMILY who will be evicted from their house this week for ruining their neighbours' lives claim they are being treated worse than paedophiles.

Tony and Rosemary McHugh, of Thompson Street, Leigh, say they are being kicked out of their home of 16 years because of one person's vendetta against them.

The couple said paedophiles who have the whole neighbourhood against them are often allowed to stay where they live.

The McHugh's, who live at their semi-detached house with their two sons Stephen, 18, and 22-year-old Martin, were told on Monday they were to be evicted.

A judge at Liverpool County Court ordered them to be thrown out of their council property after hearing evidence from neighbour Peter McLintock.

But Mr McHugh, 52, said he thought the judgement was unfair. He added: "We get on well with all the neighbours, apart from one man. I don't think it's right we should be evicted because of one person. He's got a vendetta against us. There hasn't been a petition with hundreds of signatures on it.

"A few years ago a petition was signed by everyone because a paedophile lived around here, and if that had happened to us we couldn't have argued."

However, two neighbours gave evidence at the hearing after Wigan Borough Council brought the eviction proceedings under the 1985 Housing Act, following a catalogue of breaches of the tenancy agreement.

Judge David Marshall Evans QC, found that the council had proved the alleged breaches of the tenancy agreement and, unusually, ordered the family should be evicted immediately.

The McHugh's are hoping to move into private accommodation in the Leigh area.

Mr McLintock refused to comment to The Journal.