HISTORIC almshouses have closed their doors to spontaneous visitors after a catalogue of misbehaviour by guests.

Visitors to the Sir William Turner's Almshouses, at Kirkleatham, near Redcar, will be limited to pre-booked groups in the future in response to residents' concerns.

The trustees of the 17th century almshouses have now decided to reconsider their previous open door policy. During 2004 and 2005, the trustees opened the chapel at the centre of the almshouses to the public every weekend during the summer months.

But the behaviour of some of the visitors has left the residents of the almshouses struggling to enjoy the peace and quiet of their idyllic setting.

Visitors have been seen pressing their noses to windows and peering inside cottages.

Adults and children have been caught relieving themselves in the gardens while teenagers have been seen setting up drinking parties in the grounds and have been chased away.

In the last couple of years, thieves have stolen the garden gates and all the outdoor furniture from the cottage gardens.

Wedding parties regularly block the courtyard entrance to use the grade I listed building as a scenic backdrop for their photographs.

Peter Sotheran, chairman of the trustees, said: "We have always tried our best to accommodate occasional visitors turning up at all hours of the day. Unfortunately, the thoughtlessness of the minority has spoiled it for the majority of the public.

"The almshouses are the private homes of our residents, not an open air museum, and our residents have had enough."

The trustees will continue to welcome pre-arranged group visits and offer an illustrated talk on Sir William Turner and his almshouses. Light refreshments are also provided by the residents' association.

"We are also happy to take the illustrated talk out to groups who are unable to visit Kirkleatham," added Mr Sotheran.

The chapel is open for acts of worship four or five times each month and for concerts eight or ten times a year. For more information, call 01642-482828.

The almshouse's community garden remains open Mondays to Fridays, during daylight hours.

Boys punched as bikes stolen

TWO 11-year-old boys were punched and had their mountain bikes stolen.

The boys were playing in the quarry off Guisborough Road in Great Ayton at 3pm on Saturday when they were approached by two youths.

A spokesman for Northallerton CID said the youths used violence, including punches and headlocks.

Two teenagers from Teesside have been arrested and the bikes recovered.

Police want to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident. Call Northallerton CID on 0845-6060-247.