RESIDENTS said they are being plagued by a "neighbour from hell" - who does not even live in their street.

People living near a mothballed property in leafy Almsford Road, Acomb, York, are up in arms about the state of the house that has now been empty for more than five years.

Owned by a private landlord, the semi-detached bungalow has been sealed off by City of York Council.

But residents say that has not stopped youths gathering at the "eyesore" and making their lives on the otherwise quiet, well-kept residential street a misery.

When the Evening Press visited the property four windows were boarded up and grass and weeds were growing wildly in the front garden.

The doorstep was barely visible through the undergrowth - and weeds were sprouting out of one section of the roof.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "It's ridiculous and the residents are pretty sick of it. The police were there twice the other week.

"This young lad came down last year and wanted to buy it, but the owner, who I believe lives near Poppleton, was not selling."

Now a Labour ward councillor has stepped into the row and called for the council to act. Coun David Horton said: "Youths have come in and caused a lot of damage.

"I have contacted the chief executive of the council several times about this, but the main problem seems to be because it is a private house."

Coun Horton said: "It's like a neighbour from hell who is not living on the premises."

He said one of the neighbours reported youths outside her house revving up scooters, and running up and down her drive.

"This has been going on long enough and something needs doing," he said.

"For the sake of the neighbours, there needs to be some pressure put on the landlord.

"I can't understand what he's thinking about."

York Police said they were investigating a report of the property being used to store a stolen motorbike.

A City of York Council spokeswoman said: "The council has limited powers to address privately-owned empty properties.

"With this particular property, we have been in regular correspondence with the owner for several years and have served three notices on him to make the property secure.

She said: "The council has had to take steps to prevent trespassing when no work was done by the owner.

"We have also offered the owner a landlord's grant, which would enable him to renovate the property.

"Unfortunately, he has not taken up the offer."

Do you know who owns the property? Phone Tom Stirling at the Evening Press on 01904 653051 or email him on tom.stirling@ycp.co.uk.

Updated: 10:35 Thursday, August 25, 2005