Timothy and Sharon Stokes are fighting to stay in their Blackpool home with their eight children after a near record number of complaints was made against them.

Neighbours say the family is terrorising Bowness Avenue, Mereside.

A staggering 140 complaints have been lodged with Blackpool Council while police are investigating a number of allegations. This month alone they include:

- The Stokes family throwing stones at houses.
- Fighting and shouting with other children in the street.
- Kicking fencing, and running in and out of gardens.
- Vandalising machinery on the street.

Peter Jefferson, chief executive of Blackpool Coastal Housing, which has launched eviction proceedings, said: "The list of complaints against the family is one of the largest we've ever seen."

But Mr Stokes, who is disabled and in a wheelchair, today defended his family and said: "We're constantly being victimised by our neighbours."

The couple and their children moved from Manchester to Mereside four years ago.

Neighbours say there have been constant problems with the family, who have been placed under a police supervision order, ever since they moved in.

In April 2006, Blackpool Council paid out £7,000 to renovate the Stokes' four bedroomed property following a house fire, which the Fire Service claim was started by a member of the family.

Linda McEvilly, 64, who lives next door, said: "It's just been four years of absolute hell.

"I've tried to help, I took round bedding, toys, and even TVs to the family, but I discovered the bedding in the ginnel, which I share with the family, covered in excrement soon after.

"They swear at me whenever I go into the house, and gather in my garden - I've spent £500 on fencing, but it keeps getting kicked in."

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