ELDERLY people living in Bidford's High Street say they are being driven out by noisy children at night.

The couple, who are too upset to be identified, say the children who look between aged 12 and 14 gather together and drink, smoke and generally cause a disturbance.

They moved into the town from the Isle of Wight 18 months ago but now they feel they have no alternative but to move out.

The 75-year-old tenant said: "The youngsters hang about drinking, smoking and shouting, and when you say anything to them you get abused. We are considering moving to somewhere quieter, but we like Bidford - we just wish this would stop."

The pensioners' landlord David Doyle has criticised parents who let their children stay out late at night without supervision.

He said: "I was appalled when I first heard that two of my tenants were moving out of one of my rental properties because they felt intimidated and harassed by some of the youngsters who regularly congregate outside the convenience store.

"On some evenings the running around, shouting and kicking balls at people's front doors continue until past midnight.

"It is unbelievable to me that the parents of these children can allow two elderly retired people to be driven out of their home because of the behaviour of their children.

What Mr Doyle wants, he said, is for parents to go out and check to see whether their children are misbehaving.

The chairman of Bidford Parish Council, Joy Kealey, said: "We have always had problems with children around the convenience store which is open until 11pm. We are working with the police to find a solution."