Residents in homes plea to Prescott

Hundreds of houses are facing demolition under the plans

People living in a part of Newcastle have written to the deputy Prime Minister to ask him to review plans to demolish their homes.

About 400 houses in West Benwell and Low Deleval are due to be knocked down as part of the city's Going for Growth plans.

But the West Benwell Residents Association has written to John Prescott asking him to look at Newcastle City Council's proposals.

The council wants to knock down hundreds of homes as part of its plan to regenerate the west end of the city.

In their letter to Mr Prescott, the residents claim they are part of a "diminished community" which the council wants to destroy.

They also say the city does not deserve to become the European Capital of Culture in 2008, because their human rights have been breached.

A spokesman for John Prescott's office said his department's officials would look at the letter before deciding what action to take.

A spokesman for Newcastle City Council said: "Its a bit late in the day to involve John Prescott, with 71% of the homes unfit for human habitation.

"We have been working with residents for more than three years.