ANGRY residents will tomorrow step up the fight against plans to evict them from their warden-assisted homes in Southampton.

Those living in the flats plan to send a defiant message to City Council housing bosses who want to demolish their homes.

Tenants of Erskine Court will form a human chain around the block as a symbolic gesture against the proposals.

“The council would like us to think that the decision is made but until they get it through things can go either way,” said 61- year-old resident Lynne Lawton.

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Tenants and neighbours in blocks nearby will join hands in a symbolic chain of defiance between 11.00am and 12.00pm.

The residents are backed by the Lordshill Tenants Association, the Sheltered Housing Forum and Labour ward Councillors Keith Morrell and Don Thomas.

Southampton City Council housing boss Councillor Peter Baillie, pictured, says he wants to move the residents into new homes because it would cost too much to upgrade Erskine Court, in Lordshill.

Last night Cllr Morrell said: “Cllr Baillie is discovering these residents belong to a generation that doesn’t give up that easily.

“Their determination to resist eviction has inspired everyone.”

The Federation of Southampton Tenants and Residents Associations has also pledged support.

Chairman Chris Morris said: “The federation is supporting the tenants and we fully understand the reasons they want to do this.”

Tenants at Erskine Court received a letter from the council two weeks ago - informing them of plans to develop the site into housing.

The plans to demolish the flats stunned residents who believed their homes were to be refurbished – with some fitted with new kitchens and bathrooms.

But Cllr Baillie, condemned the campaign groups for “supporting bedsits and shared bathing accommodation for elderly residents fit only for the 19 century and not the 21st century”.

He added: “Due to the layout of the building it would require an unreasonable amount of work and money to bring the building up to an acceptable standard.

“People do not want to move into a building where they have to share bathing facilities – which is why there are 11 empty flats in Erskine Court.”

A final decision on the future of the flats will made at the council’s Cabinet on November 22.