A FAMILY who faced eviction from their council home have been left stranded amid a pile of rubble.

Susan and Robert Thomas were on the verge of being thrown-out of their Atherton home just a few months ago, following a number of complaints made against them by neighbours.

But the couple, of Tarleton Avenue, on the Hag Fold estate, won their battle against eviction during a hearing in Liverpool. Now they intend staying put while more than 50 properties around them are flattened.

Wigan Council obtained an order for possession of number 11 Tarleton Avenue at Liverpool County Court last month, but that was suspended for two years.

They were told by the judge they could remain in their home and the council is now powerless to force them to leave unless a complaint is made against them.

In the meantime, Wigan Council passed plans to knock down 52 properties around their home -- in effect, evicting their neighbours from the area instead.

Mr and Mrs Thomas's semi-detached home is now separated from the rest of the estate by the rubble of demolished property, bulldozed down in a community clean-up.

The couple claim their home is not being properly maintained but insist they will not leave, even though the area around them, except their home and the adjoining boarded-up property, is being landscaped.

Mr and Mrs Thomas moved into the area 11 years ago with their children, Wayne McKebitt, 18, Toni McKebitt, 17, Laura McKebitt, 16 and Lesley Thomas, 12.

In the past three-and-a-half-years, the couple have had many complaints made against them by neighbours.

Their home has graffiti scrawled on the door and windows, a brick shed at the side of the house has a broken door and a waste pipe running down the side of the house has cracked. The family claim rats run wild around the property (our reporter and photographer discovered a rat's tail Turn to Page 3, (Col 2) From Page 1 by a plant pot outside the front door).

Mr Thomas, 39, said remaining in the house had become a matter of principle and was adamant he would not be forced out -- despite the adjoining house being boarded up with green metal sheeting and the property next door reduced to rubble.

He said: "I want to stay in the house. Our friends live in the area. But the council have let this property run itself down and made only half-hearted repairs.

"They've left us alone recently even though they were trying to evict us not that long ago.

"I think they're just waiting until we can't stand living here any more and move out."

Mrs Thomas, aged 37, claims she has been spied on by the council. She added: "I know we will have to move eventually but at the moment we're staying put.

"The home we're in is unsuitable. The council should be repairing the house not forcing us out to knock it down."

Labour councillor Susan Loudon appeared in court on behalf of the estate's residents ,following a number of complaints.

The Thomas family are the only tenants refusing to move from the site.

Mrs Loudon said: "It is the intention to knock down the property but we have to wait two years.

"After that, we don't know what will happen, but we are hoping a settlement with the Thomases can be reached."

A Wigan Council spokesman added: "If the Thomases move out, then the house would be demolished. It will not be sub-let. But as there are no grounds to evict the couple, and if the situation remains as it is, then they will be allowed to stay in the house." STANDING FIRM: Robert Thomas outside his house the council want to demolish LAST STAND: The Thomas's semi-detached property could remain for two years while others around it have already been demolished Family stays put amid demolition