Residents living in a trouble-hit Smethwick cul-de-sac are organising a party to celebrate the closure of a controversial bail hostel. Around 60 people turned out for a public meeting last night.

The official announcement was made at the gathereing confirming the closure of the hostel in Crawford Avenue, and they celebrated into the night.

Crawford Avenue resident Lynne Butler, who has led the campaign to close it, said: “There are a lot of smiling faces, we’re just so relieved.

“After the meeting we all went back and knocked all the doors of people who couldn’t make it or were too scared to go and told them what is happening. I don’t think I got to bed till after midnight.

“It’s been a difficult and stressful time so we’re going to have a bit of a party to celebrate,” added the mother of two. Under current laws, if a unit houses six people or fewer there is no requirement for residents or local authorities to be notified, as was the case in Smethwick.

Residents say they have reported countless incidents of fighting, noise and even begging. But Ms Butler, 50, said their campaign could see new rules brought across the country.

No-one from the Ministry of Justice or Clear Springs, the company which runs the hostel, were present at last night’s meeting at the Harry Mitchell Centre.