WORRIED residents fear the reopening of a children's care home will make their lives miserable.

People in Chislehurst Road, Orpington, are campaigning against child care provider Five Rivers' offer to buy the property from Bromley Council.

The five-bed care home was run by Five Rivers for six years, but owned by the council, before it closed last summer.

Residents claim they were plagued by constant anti-social behaviour when it was open.

They now fear Five Rivers has bought the home and may want to reopen it.

The home provided residential care for 12 to 16-year-olds.

Ian McDonald, who has organised a petition of more than 30 signatures against the move, says life has been beautiful since the home closed.

The 59-year-old former BT buildings manager, who has lived next door to the site of the care home for 10 years, said: "When it was open, people's homes were regularly hit by all sorts of missiles.

"There would be noise and shouting all night, and teenagers dealing drugs and having sex in people's gardens.

"It wasn't so much those from the home. It was people who were attracted to them.

"They were either previous residents or they knew those living in there."

He added: "We want our peace and quiet.

"We've had our lives back to how they should be.

"There has been no screaming or shouting.

"Before we felt intimidated. Now we can walk down our street."

Susan Boorman lives down the road from the care home, opposite Broomhill Common, where the youths used to congregate at night.

She said: "Life was an absolute misery. They would use our driveways and steps for urinating on.

"They used to snap branches off the trees, rip plants from our gardens and graffiti our cars."

The 62-year-old housewife, who has lived in the area for 24 years, added: "We did not like to leave our homes because we were frightened.

"We had to build a wall and gates to barricade ourselves in. We can't live like this again."

Former electrical engineer Frank Harvey, 74, who also lives in Chislehurst Road, said: "You couldn't walk past the kids or you would get spat at."

His 73-year-old wife Marina, a former bank clerk, said: "I would be furious if they reopened it."

Cray Valley East Councillor David McBride said: "The council has missed a great opportunity here to help residents by eradicating the anti-social behaviour which was in the area as a result of the children's home."

Bromley police borough commander Chief Superintendent Charles Griggs said: "Police are aware of the concerns of residents.

"We will work to ensure we are able to allay these concerns, and minimise any disruption to peace and tranquility in the area."

A council spokesman said: "The closure of the home was in line with our policy of pursuing specialist foster carer placements rather than residential placements going forward.

"This was to ensure the best possible care for young people in need of such support."

Five Rivers was unavailable for comment.