FAMILIES living next to a demolition site say noise and clouds of dust are making their lives a misery.

Work is under way to demolish the old Newcastle College building, in Liverpool Road, and build a new Sainsbury's store in its place.

But nearby families say the work is creating noise for up to eight hours a day and covering cars and homes with dust.

Hall Street resident Kenneth Lodge, aged 60, said: "We are not very happy with Sainsbury's. The site is about 50 yards away from our flat and we are getting nothing but noise and clouds of dust coming over when they are supposed to be damping it down.

"I suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which affects my lungs. The dust is making me worse and my doctor has told me to keep the windows shut.

"Our car has to be washed two to three times a week, because it is covered with dust."

Mr Lodge said he is also concerned the store will attract litter and groups gathering on a footpath running from Ashfields New Road through to the A34.

He added: "We are worried about security problems and litter because it would be an ideal place for people to congregate. It will become a thoroughfare for people going to school or college.

"A meeting was held for residents to discuss their concerns with Sainsbury's representatives on March 3. There were a lot of questions asked that were just pushed to one side."

Betty Morris, aged 69, who also lives on Hall Street, said: "The dust is awful. We paid £5 to have our car cleaned and you cannot tell it was done now.

"The work will be going on until the autumn and I would like to sit outside in the summer, but the noise and dust won't make that very nice.

"We understand not much can be done about the noise, but they are supposed to put sprinklers on the dust."

Megan Yates, aged 52, who lives in Bailey Street, next to the site, said: "The noise was not that bad until the work came right up to our house.

"It's a demolition site so it is going to be noisy, but the dust is terrible. It is all over the front door and gets in your eyes.

"I think Sainsbury's has sent someone out to talk to the contractors and they should be putting more water on it. We have no problem with the development and will be glad when it is up and running."

Building work should begin in April and the new store should open in the autumn.

Newcastle College has moved to a new purpose-built site in Knutton Lane.

Sainsbury's project manager Gary Mudge said: "Our contractors are working to a strict code of practice and are trying at all times to minimise disruption to residents.

"Dust suppression measures are in place to damp down areas of the site. While we initially had issues with water pressure, we are now bringing in more pumps to enable us to carry this out more effectively."

Residents can call the Sainsbury's freephone number if they have any queries or issues on 0800 975 5299.