PROBLEM families will face eviction if they refuse to go into a training centre to curb their anti-social behaviour, says Bolton Council's chief executive, Bernard Knight.

Leading councillors have welcomed a new scheme to put families into the centre -- although the council would not be able to force unwilling tenants into the residential unit, Mr Knight told them.

The councillors approved moves to tackle nuisance neighbours by setting up the unit as part of a £600,000 scheme to re-educate bad tenants causing misery on estates.

They will be taught basic household management and parenting skills. They will also be offered anger management lessons and will have to be back in the unit by 11pm.

By doing this, town hall chiefs hope to break the cycle of tenants moving from one area to another, taking trouble with them.

Council leader Cllr Bob Howarth said problem families were causing "mayhem" in his Bolton central ward.

He said: "We have had terrible problems with some tenants. Having come across some of them, I realise this is a tough one to crack and I hope we can make progress."

However, Liberal Democrat Cllr David Wilkinson said: "I welcome the idea, but it may be a very sore point for some residents who have been on the receiving end of these bad tenants.

"They may view this as some cushy option. Many people seem to feel that the bad guys get away with everything and are treated with kid gloves. The elderly feel that they get the short end of the mucky stick.

"We need to word this very carefully to show good tenants that it will be they that benefit."

Lib Dem colleague Cllr Barbara Ronson voiced concerns that some families may simply be going through financial problems. The Horwich councillor asked if families were given debt counselling when they faced eviction, claiming that many nuisance tenants had benefit problems.

Mr Knight admitted that not all families were given financial advice when they were on the brink of eviction and agreed to see if this could be provided in future.

Councillors agreed to establish the scheme, which will be called the Bolton Families Project, and to set up an outreach service before March next year. The National Children's Home will run the service and the unit will be developed with the Irwell Valley Housing Association.