EVERY one of its windows is smashed or boarded up, part of its roof has disintegrated, its garden is like a wilderness and it is a magnet for vandals and young thugs.

The semi-detached bungalow in Almsford Road, Acomb, York, has been a nightmare for residents for more than seven years.

Now the couple living next door have declared "enough is enough" after a large, rotted willow tree in the empty house's overgrown garden blew down and crashed into their garage roof.

Jean Walden, 62, who lives next door to the derelict bungalow with her husband, Peter, said they woke up on New Year's Day to discover the tree had come down.

"It's really dreadful," she said. "There is no roof on the house, most of the windows are smashed, and there are no doors. Thank God the tree missed our bungalow when it came down. We opened our curtains on New Year's Day and it was quite frightening to see it. It was like something from Day Of The Triffids. We've had to cope with this for seven years now. It was set on fire a few years ago and we suffered smoke damage."

The bungalow, which has been sealed off by City of York Council, is owned by a private landlord, who residents claim refuses to do anything to sort it out.

Acomb ward councillor David Horton said the problem needed resolving, and demanded council officers take action.

He said: "I've been trying to get something done about this for three years and it has been empty for nearly eight years now.

"At regular intervals, I have raised concerns regarding the vandalism which is occurring and the fears and worries of the adjacent neighbours.

"I'm concerned about the structural stability of the building and a lot of the windows are smashed in. I wouldn't like to be living next door to it."

A City of York Council spokeswoman said: "We are working with the owner of the property to try to bring it back into use."

The Press was unable to contact the owner of the property.