Residents are urging councillors to make the "right decision" about the future of notorious maisonettes.

Beleaguered Horspath Road residents made an impassioned plea to have the dilapidated maisonettes knocked down last month and challenged Oxford city councillors to live there for a week.

Since then troubles with gangs have intensified with noise, swearing and windows smashed nightly.

The plans are due to come back before the Labour group on September 17 and then before a city council special housing committee on October 5.

A resident, who did not wish to be named for fear of reprisals, said: "Please make the right decision. Listen to us and understand our nightmare."

The resident added: "From Sunday night into Monday someone was drunk or on drugs, running around screaming. It was very frightening.

"This has been going on for years and years - there have been problems with noise, fights, stolen cars, drugs, prostitution and there has even been mention of guns.

"There is nothing we can do. We just have to wait and see what the council does and pray they end our living hell. I am at the end of my tether."

Joan Oliver, secretary of the Horspath Residents' Association, added: "The people on the estate are very bitter about it. They do not want money spent on them. They want rid of this ghetto."

Oxford City Council's housing committee has decided the shabby block is to be spruced up rather than knocked down after the three ward councillors declared at first demolition was the likeliest option.

The residents association presented a petition to the council in July, which the housing committee has promised to consider.

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