SIX WEEKS after Philip Morley, his partner Kelly and their three children were driven from their home in Upton Priory and he had to be given a police escort as he drove out of town, the family may at last be close to a new home.

He is likely to accept the offer of a three-bedroomed house in the East Midlands - well over an hour's drive from their family in the Macclesfield area - but he has some harsh warnings for those he leaves behind.

Despite assurances from Johnnie Johnson, his housing association landlords, that they would look after his family after his video was used as evidence at an eviction court hearing involving one of his neighbours the family have had to share a two-bed house with relatives for the past weeks - officially homeless.

Now Philip, 29, who is disabled, his partner Kelly McLeod and their three children, aged ten, seven and five are resigned to living far from their home area.

"At least we have somewhere to go," said Philip whose family became the target for abuse and threats to blow up their car. When he returned to get his possessions four police cars had to be called as the van he was using was attacked and police escorted it out of town.

He said: "We are waiting for a phone call to go and look at the place and we should be able to move in another couple of weeks.

"I don't really regret giving evidence and happily some good will come of it as I understand the person concerned will be evicted in the next few weeks."

He says he would stand up and be counted again, adding: "If it were not for the children I would still be at Upton Priory and fighting."

However, Philip has been watching events on the estate from his refuge and says that, in retrospect, he wishes he had more support from the tenants' association and Johnnie Johnson housing.

"I attended a meeting regarding anti-social behaviour just before leaving and I expressed my concerns and the reply was 'He's Johnnie Johnson, anyway I'm against CCTV.'"

Philip believes the police allowed 'the situation get out of control,' and resents being told there was nothing they could do until something happened. He is bitter too about the Johnnie Johnson legal team who, he says, told him, 'if you are attacked it will be good for our case'.

He went on: "My respects go out to the Rev Janet Fife for her continuous hard work and I would also like to thank my friends who have stuck by us through this.

"If the council and the police don't stop the trouble on the Priory soon then the decent people left will be forced out by the useless pathetic morons that are still dragging their knuckles around the estate without any retribution from the justice system."

Kath Barlow, a manager with the Johnnie Johnson housing association, said early in the saga that they took the case very seriously. "We do have a responsibility to our tenant and it is really unfortunate that this has happened," she said.

This week she told the Express: "The trust has very limited numbers of family housing in the NW region and has been working very hard with Stockport council and other social landlords working in the region to secure alternative accommodation for Mr Morley and his family, in areas where he is willing to consider.

"In discussion last week, Mr Morley was asked whether he would reconsider a small estate of family houses owned by the Trust in the central region which had previously been mentioned to him.

"He has subsequently been offered a three-bedroomed house which has been undergoing repairs. These will be completed shortly, at which time he will view and decide whether he wishes to accept the offer. Indications from him are that he is likely to accept the tenancy, the offer of which includes a significant decoration allowance.

"With regard to the possession case in which Mr Morley was involved, the trust has now obtained a warrant for eviction on September 1 but the tenant is likely to lodge an appeal against this in which case there will be a further hearing beforehand."

The Rev Janet Fife, who has been leading the campaign against thugs and criminals at Upton Priory said: "I hope Philip Morley and his family find peace in their new home. They deserve it."