Barry Eaton, passenger transport coordinator, said: "The bus shelter has become redundant because the bus operators have changed their routes and this stretch of road no longer requires the frequency of service.

"Birchwood Forum's Conference Centre has expressed a need for two new bus shelters and Adshel, providers of the shelters, are negotiating to have the disused shell relocated there."

A REDUNDANT bus shelter is proving to be a real pain for elderly residents who say it only serves as a hang out for underage drinkers.

Homeowners and tenants living near to Montrose Close say problems started when traffic-calming measures were installed, almost two years ago. This meant that the road became a one-way street.

Residents state that the redundant structure now attracts young people who regularly use it to indulge in underage drinking sessions, which often end up with the shelter being vandalised and glass and other debris being discarded into the gardens of elderly people. Mick Curran, who lives in nearby Libson Close, is chairman of the Cinnamon Brow residents' association. He said: "Every time the shelter is vandalised it costs Adshel, the owner, £750 to repair it.

"We've told them it's no longer in use and asked them to remove it but they say the issue lies with the council. The council say they have no money in their budget to pay for the removal.

"It's a crazy situation. These elderly residents are at their wits' end. The irony is that just a few streets away in Oban Grove, the residents have no bus shelter and have repeatedly asked for one to be installed."

Residents have enlisted the help of Warrington north MP Helen Jones, ward councillor Albert Clemow and community policeman Tony Davidson.