TENANTS in two high-rise blocks in St Mary Cray are in shock after hearing their homes are to be demolished.

Residents say they received a letter "out of the blue" from landlord Broomleigh Housing Association telling them Alkham and Horton towers could be knocked down within 18 months.

Councillors say they were not consulted on the plans, which would also see a central part of the delayed Crays CCTV scheme demolished.

Councillor Sue Gibbons said: "Until residents came to me, I had no idea about this."

A meeting for the 100 tenants affected has been called for Monday.

Alkham Tower resident David Corder said: "We've been told to go to the council's homeless department or rent privately but I can't afford that. I don't know what to do."

Alkham Tower houses a transmitter link for the innovative Crays CCTV surveillance scheme, which is due to go live shortly.

A Broomleigh spokesman says the decision was taken at the last board meeting, which included tenants' representatives, because it would be too costly to fix ongoing problems.

She added: "We have a responsibility to rehouse residents on assured tenancies but not those on shorthold agreements but we will do everything we can to make this as painless as possible."