More than 25 people, including business leaders and residents, met with Foundation Housing workers and police to discuss what they called the "unacceptable behaviour" of some of the association's Leeds Road tenants.

They hope the public meeting at Damian James hairdressers, near to the Foundation Housing flats, will put an end to the catalogue of problems they say have beset the area since the association first let the property from a private landlord three years ago.

Residents told Foundation Housing staff that late-night parties on the property's flat roof are making their lives a misery.

Robert Morris, who lives opposite the four Foundation Housing flats, said he is forced to keep windows in facing rooms closed because of the noise.

"People are screaming and shouting at 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning and the music just gets ridiculous, going up and down all night," he said.

Mr Morris said his girlfriend was having to make do with less than four hours' sleep a night, because of the noise.

"It can't carry on," he said. "My girlfriend starts work at seven and her work is suffering through someone else's selfishness."

Richard Greenwood of Harrogate Police confirmed he had been called to the property numerous times by neighbours complaining about noise.

Rehan Shah from Foundation Housing said his organisation looked after "vulnerable clientele".

"We get complaints about people on the flat roof, swearing and making noise, and we try to disperse them whenever possible," he added.

Foundation Housing were considering how to restrict access to the flat roof and would speak to tenants about the allegations made, he said.

The organisation looks into all complaints as and when they are received, Mr Shah added.

He also stressed that Foundation Housing does not tolerate drug taking in its properties or any other illegal behaviour by tenants.

The association had previously moved tenants out of the flats after complaints.