DEMOLITION work is due to start this week on an estate which has been troubled by crime and drugs in recent years.

Bolton Council has fenced off De Lacy Drive in Tonge Moor and is moving bulldozers and digging equipment into the area.

The last few tenants of the 99 houses have been found other homes throughout Bolton.

Housing chiefs hope that building new houses will help to stamp out trouble on the estate.

Residents have been sad to see the street being prepared for demolition but hope the new homes will herald a fresh era.

Anthony Brooks, of George Barton Street, has lived in Tonge Moor all his life and had many friends in De Lacy Drive.

Mr Brooks, aged 51, said: "I'm very sad that De Lacy is going. It's a shame to see a whole street just disappear. I've known people on De Lacy all my life and now they've gone to districts all over Bolton.

"A whole community has gone. I saw the residents as they moved out and they were all really sad to leave their homes.

"I can still remember when this estate was fantastic and the residents used to win awards for their gardens."

An Entwistle Street resident, whose home overlooks De Lacy Drive, is optimistic that the demolition work will lead to a happy conclusion.

The woman, aged 46, who did not want to be named, has lived on the estate for more than 20 years.

She said: "I was sad at first when I knew everyone was going but there was a big problem with drugs on that street and it is time for a change.

"It's strange for a whole street to just go but I think it's for the best."

The council's survey of De Lacy residents found that 65 per cent of them believed demolition was the answer.

The new development will include 47 family homes for sale and 17 housing association bungalows for the elderly.

Playing fields at nearby Tonge Moor Primary School will be extended as part of the transformation.

All the plans for the area have been developed by Bolton Council's partner, Manchester Methodist Housing.

Access to the new estate will be via Ainsworth Lane, with a 20mph speed limit imposed at the entrance to improve road safety.

Tonge Moor is also to benefit from Government cash for housing improvements and the £9.5 million Castle Hill project which will create a school and community centre.