NEIGHBOURS say they are delighted a family they dubbed the "neighbours from hell" has been sent packing from their street.

Residents of Colbourne Road in Hove claim their lives were made a living nightmare by 46-year-old John Banks and his three teenage sons.

And police, called to the house on average twice a week, say they too are glad to see the back of them.

Last week, the Argus pictured Mr Banks shouting from the roof of the privately owned semi-detached house during a protest over an eviction order served on him and his sons Sonny, 14, Wesley, 15, and Shaun 18.

Mr Banks barricaded himself in the attic before cutting a hole in the roof, from which he hurled abuse at policemen below.

He finally agreed to end the noisy protest after talking with police negotiators.

Since the article appeared, more than 20 local residents have signed a petition saying how "relieved" they are the Banks family has gone.

Many have horror stories to tell but all are too scared to be named for fear of reprisals. One man said: "For the last year our lives have been complete and utter hell. We are very pleased they have been evicted."

One woman said: "In the summer when it was hot we wanted to sit out in our back garden but we couldn't due to all the swearing."

An anonymous letter sent to the Argus said: "Our tolerance has been stretched beyond breaking point by Mr Banks and his family. The police have been called to the house on average once a week."

The police have backed local people's feelings. Officers were called to the house, formerly owned by Harry Baars who died in the summer, 20 times this year and seven times in the last month.

PC Marvin Lucas, the local community beat officer, said many local people were too scared to dial 999. He said: "They have been a nightmare family. When old Mr Baars lived at the house, he had visits from the health authority and social services but every time they went to the house they were threatened. In the end they refused to go there. I am very pleased they have gone."

Following the eviction on Thursday, police escorted Mr Banks to Brighton and Hove Council's housing advice centre to help him find new accommodation. But the family became abusive to housing staff and had to be thrown out by police.

A council spokesman said: "Mr Banks and his family were offered temporary accommodation. They refused this and became extremely violent and threatened members of staff.

"Other people in the centre were very frightened. They have been banned from entering council premises. The council does, however, have a duty to look at their housing need and a meeting will be held in a few days."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.