A YOUNG shop owner wants to sell his business after just two months because he claims he is being hounded by a gang of anti-social youths.

Owain Brown claims trade has dropped by more than 50 per cent at the Apollo Way Stores in Blackwood because customers are frightened off by a gang of up to eight teenage boys who hang around his shop every night.

The 27-year-old from Pontllanfraith, who has invested more than £20,000 of his own money into buying the shop, believes he will be out of business in just a few months if something is not done soon.

Some residents are so fed-up with the gang that they have gathered a petition to close down the general store hoping it will end their misery.

Mr Brown said the youths swear at customers, drink alcohol in the street and on one occasion followed elderly customers home.

He said: "I could be out of business in under three months. Since I have been here my sales have dropped by half.

"Customers, especially the older ones, will not come here anymore because the boys have been giving them so much hassle.

"I'm trying my best to run a business but I'm not getting any support from the police or the council in tackling the problem.

"When I first opened the shop in December I used to go to the warehouse three times a week to get stock but now I just go once a week because that's all I'm selling nowadays."

Mr Brown's aunt, Amanda Jones, works part-time at the store and says she has to ring the police every night.

"The kids refuse point blank to move and when the police arrive they just run down the alley and wait for them to go before coming back," said Mrs Jones.

"I have heard residents are gathering a petition and I feel sorry for Owain because he has sunk everything he owns into the place."

Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge said: "I have spoken to residents in Apollo Way and they are very scared of these teenagers outside the store.

"I think we need firm action between all agencies such as Neighbourhood Watch and the police to safeguard the community."

A spokeswoman from Blackwood police station said: "We have received calls about the problem and we have patrolled the area at night."