A BAN on yobs entering parts of a Kidderminster estate has eased the level of intimidation and vandalism, say nearby traders who have now urged shoppers to return to the area.

Storeowners, along with the vicar of a church terrorised by the youths, said the issuing last week of three more anti social behaviour orders has made Burcher Green in Comberton a much quieter place.the shops at Burcher Green in Comberton which have been plagued by gangs of youths.

However, they said Wyre Forest folk had been put off from coming to Burcher Green because of the negative image given to the area by the orders and its reputation as a trouble hotspot.

Mary Burns, who runs clothing shop In Stitches on Doverdale Avenue said: "It is definitely quieter because a lot of kids are frightened of getting into trouble but it will take an awful lot of time for trade to get back to what it once was. The ASBOs gave the estate a lot of bad publicity."

Mrs Burns said the three yobs - Daniel Lamb, Damon Williams and Dean Cakebread - were "carrying the can" for many youths in the area, although the orders had now made other youngsters more wary of their behaviour.

"We are back in business and people are safe to come here again," she said.

Zena Crockett, manager of next-door Whispers Hair Design, said trade had been hit as customers stayed away because of crowds of rowdy youths.

She said: "We went through hell. We had three windows smashed during the night and we would often find eggs smashed all over the front.

"But we have got to bring people back here because we are losing business. The kids are not hanging around and abusing people who go past anymore, it is a much quieter area because of the ASBOs."

St Chad's Church, which sits between the two rows of shops, saw its windows broken and users of the community hall subjected to a torrent of abuse over the last 12 months, said the Rev Hugh Burton.

He said: "It affected people coming to midweek evenings at the church. We certainly lost bookings because of their behaviour.

"We had windows smashed by footballs and the roof was damaged. I think the police singled out the ringleaders of a wider group, although the ASBOs seem to have had a wider effect."

Lamb,14, Williams, 16, and Cakebread, 17, had orders imposed 10 days ago, bringing the total now barred from large parts of the estate to five.

This follows orders given to Brett Pearson, 23 and Keith Dockerty, 19, in February.

Dockerty has since been jailed for three months for breaking the terms of his order

l Last week's Shuttle/Times & News reported an anti social behaviour order imposed on 17-year-old Mitchell Loveridge, of Stourport.

We have been asked to point out that he is not related to Richard Loveridge, also of Stourport, who was the subject of a similar order in December.