Action is being taken against roughneck residents of Parkwood Rise who are ruining their neighbours' lives.

Three tenants of the high-rise flats have already been forced out by Bradford council and others are being targeted. Housing bosses are working with other people at the Leylands House and Delph House blocks to stamp out vandalism and graffiti and set up a new tenants' group.

But long-time residents of the flats say the action has come too late, and insist they have no choice but to leave. Among the reluctant exiles is Gina Thompson, who over the past two decades has led efforts to improve life in the flats.

Some tenants blame not only nasty neighbours but council neglect for the poor state of the two high-rise blocks. They say other residents throw rubbish out of their windows, smash windows in the corridors, pelt the playground with bottles and foul the balconies.

Gina Thompson, who led the tenants' association at the flats for many years, this week voiced her disappointment at having to move after 22 years. She says the building has been left to decay since around £1.5 million was spent several years ago on improvements such as new windows, central heating and re-cladding.

She says: "I'm moving because the flats are so dirty and unkempt.

"The front entrance and steps never get cleaned. You have to walk through spit and other bodily fluids. I love my flat and I'm heartbroken at having to leave it. I've spent a lot of money on it. I'd have never left if the council had kept up the place.

"There's no community there anymore. People stay in. Most of the decent tenants have reached the point where they can't take any more."

Louise Delaney, another leading light in past Parkwood Rise community activities, has put her name on the transfer list. She says rubbish-strewn balconies are infested with flies and rats are regular visitors to corridors that have not been painted for years. She adds: "The place stinks. I'm withholding my council tax and I'll go to prison because it will be much cleaner."

Linda Devlin, who has lived at Parkwood Rise for 30 years, says she is now ashamed to tell people where she lives.

Bradford council says: "There are problems with anti-social behaviour in the Parkwood Rise area and our security staff are working with the Tenancy Enforcement Team to identify those responsible and take action." The new tenants' group will pass on problems and concerns to the council. Anyone interested in joining should contact the neighbourhood housing manager on 618080.