A HOUSING association has won its 11 month legal battle to kick a family of 'problem tenants' out of their Morecambe home.

The Collingwood Housing Association has evicted the Ibbitson/Knott family from their home on Bartholomew Road after numerous complaints abut nuisance, harassment and causing distress to their neighbours for which they were blamed.

A court order was granted last month, ordering the family to be out by May 29. The eviction finally took place on Wednesday.

Collingwood area manager Richard Lowthian said: "Anti-social behaviour is a serious issue that severely impacts on the lives of those who suffer because of such actions of families like the Ibbitson/Knotts and I am delighted we have been able to solve it for the benefit of all our other tenants."

Mr Lowthian said he hoped the family would learn their lesson from the eviction and keep their children under control in future.

The decision has also been welcomed by Sgt Matt Horn of Lancashire police who said: "This is a very pleasing result and a testament to the protracted hard work of those involved in dealing with this case.

"While it may seem harsh to evict tenants, it must be borne in mind that in this particular case every opportunity was afforded to the family by Collingwood Housing, the police and other agencies in an effort to allow them to modify their behaviour.

"However, they failed to respond to this resulting in the eviction order being granted by Judge Nuttall."

The housing association has pledged to continue working with the police and the city council to ensure that other anti-social tenants will face the same firm action.