People living near a problem block of flats have called on council chiefs to take action against anti-social tenants.

Residents of Stonery Road, Portslade, say they want an end to unreasonable behaviour by some people living in Downland Court.

They fear the flats are becoming a dumping ground for problem families from all over Brighton and Hove.

They say there has been a "noticeable increase" in the number of anti-social tenants housed in the area recently.

Jeanne Mountney, 72, who lives opposite the flats, said the street is plagued by vandalism, drunkeness and violence.

Mrs Mountney said: "After a party at Downland Court, we were subjected to loutish, drunken and violent behaviour until 1.30am.

"Cars had their windscreens smashed and bodywork damaged and motorcycles were driven noisily along the pathways. Downland Court itself has been repeatedly vandalised with doors and windows broken.

"On one occasion a window was broken when a television set was thrown through it, from inside a flat. One group of tenants with alcohol problems is regularly seen drunk and annoying people."

Mrs Mountney and other residents have now signed a petition demanding that the council does something about the problem.

Fellow resident Dave Bonwick said: "Things are just getting worse over there. One night, there was banging on my front door and my wife opened it to find a young man slumped on the doorstep covered in blood.

"We called the police and ambulance and tried to sort him out until they arrived. It transpired that the stabbing happened inside one of the flats at Downland Court where there have been problems before.

"We have written to the council, petitioned them and spoken to them until we are blue in the face.

"They promised to respond to us within ten days but this has been going on since the start of October and we have still heard nothing."

A council spokesman said: "Two senior officers have been to Downland Court to investigate more than a dozen specific issues. We are determined to work with the residents of Stonery Road and the local residents' association, the police and other agencies to tackle the issues.

"Downland Court is not a dumping ground for problem tenants. Council properties are allocated on the basis of need."