RESIDENTS "terrorised" by boozed-up yobs say they are delighted the owner of a popular pub is looking to sell.

Steve Kirk, owner of the revamped Village Inn on Coulsdon Road, Caterham, for the last five-and-a-half years, told the Mirror he is looking to move on, and invited anyone interested in taking the pub on to give him a call.

The news was greeted with delight by residents living nearby, who complain they have been subjected to a tirade of late-night threats, thuggery, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour by revellers coming out of the pub late at night.

Marc Downie, a 42-year-old Coulsdon Road resident and car dealer, told the Mirror: "I've been threatened with violence. I've had mirrors smashed off my car. I've had bottles thrown at my car and down the alley by my house.

"Lots of people just don't park on this street at weekends, they know their car will get kicked or dented. My windscreen was smashed the night of the Germany vs England match.

"I've seen fights right outside my home – one guy was knocked out cold and left lying in the middle of the street.

"And one night I went to move my car, and a big guy literally threw himself over my bonnet, saying there was no need to move, he could guarantee my car wouldn't get damaged if I bought him a pint.

"The police need to come here, and see what happens at the weekend. Everyone here will tell you the same story. I won't be disappointed if the pub closes, or if someone turns it into a family pub."

Mr Downie's neighbour, a service engineer who only wanted to be known by his first name Mike for fear of reprisals, told a similar story.

He said: "We just don't go out or near the pub at certain times. It's dangerous. I've looked out of the bedroom window to see a man dancing on the roof of my wife's car.

"My windscreen was broken in two places. We've had spikes driven into the wheels of cars parked up here. We need a police presence. I've seen no improvement in the last six months.

"I don't want the pub to close, necessarily. But it would be good to have a family pub there."

A spokesman for Surrey Police said: "Complaints regarding anti-social behaviour near the Village Inn, Coulsdon Road, Caterham-on-the-Hill, were first raised at a neighbourhood panel meeting.

"Since then the Safer Neighbourhood Team have been working with the landlord to tackle the issues.

"Voluntary measures have been put in place and the situation has improved."

Mr Kirk, 32, owner of the pub, declined to comment on incidents of antisocial behaviour and criminal damage, saying "It is not something I want to talk about."

Pubs in decline – turn to page eight for more.