RESIDENTS are asking a council to buy and demolish a derelict pub which has become a regular target for arsonists.

A petition of 550 signatures has been raised calling for urgent action at the Blythe Spirit, which has been empty for five years.

People living near the eyesore in Weston Coyney want Stoke-on-Trent City Council to issue a compulsory purchase order so it can be pulled down and the 0.5-acre site regenerated by Renew North Staffordshire.

Grandfather-of-four, Tom Moreton, aged 68, of Weston Road, said the Weston Road pub has become a target for fly-tipping, vandalism and fires.

Mr Moreton said: "The pub is in a state and the longer it is left, the worse it gets. It should have been pulled down years ago.

"There are rats running around it, the windows on the first floor are all smashed and people have to look at it every time they leave their houses.

"It brings the whole area down. It is one of the first things people notice when they are driving into the city from Leek or Cheddleton and it is a very bad image.

"I sent a letter to the council six months ago about it and they haven't even replied. We want them to take action now so some decent new houses can be built on the site."

Last year the pub was up for auction but received no offers on the £525,000 guide price.

City councillor for Weston and Meir North, Michael Coleman, said: "The residents have gathered a strong petition which has the backing of the entire community.

"The pub is a blight. It will never re-open as a pub and it needs to be dealt with as a priority. Renew has the money to buy the site at market value and the council has the powers to make that happen.

"It should then be demolished and the boundary of the Coalville master plan extended to include this site."

Retired potter, Rob Mack, aged 76, lives opposite and has a bird's eye view of the antisocial behaviour which thrives on the site. He said: "It's a depressing spectacle and the police and fire service have been called to it numerous times. In the summer months crowds of youths will gather there."

The residents' petition will be presented to the councillors at the next full council meeting.