RESIDENTS of a Gwent town are celebrating after hearing a youth court is to move, stopping anti-social youths who make their lives a misery.

People living near Blackwood Magistrates Court on William Street claim they have been fighting for more than 30 years to get courtrooms moved elsewhere.

They say people attending courts, held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, loiter outside the building, drinking, smoking and abusing residents.

Following consultation with residents and court users Her Majesty's Courts Service has decided to stop holding Youth and Narey Courts in Blackwood. From January 1, 2006, the youth court will be moved to Cwmbran and the Narey Court will be moved to Caerphilly.

These changes are a temporary measure and in the long-term a new court is planned for Ebbw Vale. Adult courts on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays will continue as normal.

In a letter to residents, Howard Matthews, the HMCS manager for Gwent, said: "This is not an ideal situation but there really seems to be no alternative to making this change."

Nicola Berkeley-Jones, 36, who has been a William Street resident for more than 25 years, said: "I have noticed it getting worse in recent years. "They stand in the street drinking and just throw their litter everywhere. "This is a step in the right direction. There will still be some problems with antisocial behaviour."

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: "The kids aren't a good crowd. They are not afraid to give us a bit of verbal abuse. Sometimes I am afraid to leave the house when they are outside."

Islwyn MP Don Touhig said: "This is significant progress and I welcome it. Residents should not have to put up with these problems.

"Discussions about the future of the court service in this area are ongoing, but this is a major step forward."

Blackwood Councillor Nigel Dix said he was also pleased that the residents' concerns were being listened to. He said: "It is wonderful that the courts have made an obvious attempt to improve the situation for residents."

During the consultation process HCMS sent 360 letters to residents and court users and there were 30 replies. Of these 22 accepted the court would have to move, while eight objected to the proposal.