A Lowestoft flat was sealed off and closed yesterday in the first antisocial case of its kind for Waveney.

The flat in Burnham Way on the Whitton Estate was made subject to an interim closure order by magistrates after it was linked to five months of antisocial behaviour.

Waveney District Council sought the order as the flat's vulnerable tenant was said to have been taken advantage of by a gang of up to 20 youths and teenagers.

The interim order was issued under the Antisocial Behavior Act 2003.

It is the first time a council property has been sealed off in the district under the act.

On Monday the council will go back before Lowestoft magistrates to seek a full closure order which will mean the Burnham Way flat will be sealed off for three months.

Yesterday's application was supported by Lowestoft police, which had received 90 phone calls relating to alleged antisocial behaviour at the flat from February onwards.

Some of the incidents reported to the police and council involved youngster jumping on the flat's roof, verbal abuse of neighbours, disturbances at all times, antisocial use of motorbikes and beer and plates being thrown out of windows.

The flat's 35-year-old male tenant is described by the council as vulnerable and he is suffering from mental health problems. He was not at the flat yesterday.

A council document presented to the court said: 'The council submits that the distress caused to those living in the vicinity has been significant and that the nuisance and disorder they have experienced has disrupted their lives.

'There have been a number of incidents which have led to residents fearing for their safety.'