SCORES of tenants will be turfed out of their council houses for not paying their rent.

A summer crackdown will see 70 tenants brought to court this month alone, when the local authority will seek possession orders. A further 12 people will be evicted.

Housing bosses will follow this up with a poster campaign warning tenants what to expect if they fall into arrears.

Councillor Mike Connolly, executive member for housing, health and social services, said: "The council is serious about collecting the rent money which is owed to us.

"We will not tolerate a situation where a minority of tenants persistently refuse to pay their rent. The money we do not collect from these people means that we have less to spend on providing services to the majority who pay on time.

"Last year we evicted 55 tenants from their homes for rent arrears. We will not hesitate to evict people in future if they do not pay."

The council has been taking a particularly tough line this year, following a scathing report by independent inspectors.

The Best Value inspection team gave the rent collection service the lowest "poor, no stars" rating.

Rent arrears had gone up by 25 per cent since last year, to £2.3 million.

In the first three months of this year, the courts granted the council 72 possession orders and evicted nine tenants. The council went back to court in late March with a further 45 cases.

Coun Connolly added: "If people are experiencing genuine difficulty in meeting their rent payments, our staff are available to provide assistance.

"We can help to ensure that tenants are receiving any benefits they are entitled to and make arrangements to repay arrears in affordable instalments.

"Anyone needing help can speak to our tenancy management team on 253 7052 or our confidential housing advice service on 253 7557."