THREE people have been served with ten-year Anti Social Behaviour Injunctions for causing nuisance and annoyance to residents in Winchester sheltered housing.

The ASBIs are believed to equal the longest injunctions imposed anywhere in the country.

The city council acted after receiving complaints about visitors to one of the residents of Richard Moss House in North Walls, a sheltered housing scheme for council tenants aged 60 or over.

Council officers attended a residents' meeting there to hear concerns about the behaviour of a group of visitors.

They heard that residents were intimidated and listed various complaints, including the visitors washing their dirty clothes in the communal laundry, making a mess in the communal toilets, urinating in the communal hallway, ringing residents' doorbells in the early hours, noise nuisance and suspected drug use.

The council attended South-ampton County Court to obtain ASBIs on Colleen Laverty, 27, Tanya Winters, 25, and Michael Laverty, all of no fixed abode.

The injunctions prevent them from visiting Richard Moss House or causing a nuisance in the vicinity. The injunctions, which have a power of arrest attached, expire in 2017.

Bee Derrick, manager at Richard Moss House, said: "It is unfortunate to have to take such drastic action in order to ensure peace of mind for everyone living here."

However, one resident was repeatedly allowing people into the building who had no real business to be there, a situation that gave rise to serious concerns for the security of the premises and the wellbeing of residents."

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "The speed with which the council reacted to a difficult and sensitive situation was commendable and I am sure that everyone living here is pleased with the outcome."

Richard Botham, council head of housing landlord services, added: "Our residents are entitled to live in a safe and secure environment and we sought the injunctions to protect them."

Since the ASBIs were served there have been no problems.