RESIDENTS have spoken of their relief after a family was evicted after a long-running battle over noise and abuse.

Verena Mercer of Curlew Close, Oswaldtwistle, was kicked out from the Hyndburn Council house after residents complained about a catalogue of incidents.

One neighbour claimed she collected together a list of incidents that stretched to 58 pages of A4 paper.

Mercer, who is believed to have a 16-year-old daughter, appealed against the decision, but the eviction notice was served, and the family have now left.

Neighbours today asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, but said they were glad the family was gone.

One said: "It has been going on for 15 months. A council officer came up and he couldn't make himself heard for the noise. When they opened the door the mother said it wasn't loud.

"They were issued with a noise abatement order and they ignored it. The music was even being played the morning they went to court.

"It's a lot more peaceful now."

One neighbour claimed to have been threatened with a rolling pin by Mercer, and had a bottle of whisky thrown against her door.

The council said officers received complaints about loud music with a heavy bass line, verbal abuse and even threats of violence which led to the police being called on one occasion.

Following a court case at Accrington County Court, the eviction notice was served and Hyndburn Council was awarded possession of the property.

Coun Tony Dobson, Hyndburn Council's portfolio holder for housing, said: "It's regrettable that we have had to resort to evicting this tenant, however it was clear that her actions caused deterioration in the quality of life for the neighbours.

"Hyndburn Homes and Neighbourhood Management staff have worked hard to improve the quality of life for residents of Curlew Close, and we have only been able to take this step as a result of the information and evidence gathered with the help of neighbours and by working in close partnership with the police."