DESPITE their age difference, these two neighbours are really good friends.

Vera Beer, 66, and Lucy Leith, 18, have formed a bond since Mrs Beer moved into Bowman Street, Darlington, seven years ago.

Lucy has helped Mrs Beer around the house since she was 12 years old, and has also supported her through serious illness.

Mrs Beer underwent major heart surgery two years ago, and said Lucy's help during such a difficult time had been irreplaceable.

"She is a very caring and kind person. She really could not do enough for me when I was in hospital and when I came out.

"She's been there since day one, but her help around the time of my operation and ever since has been amazing.

"I have been quite ill for some time, but she is a brilliant help.

"Lucy goes on messages for me, does bits of shopping, helps in the house, and has done for years.

"Her mum, Carol, is really good to me as well, and I am so grateful to them both."

The two women met when Lucy used to sit on the wall outside Mrs Beer's house, waiting for the school bus.

"I remember her sitting there, always smiling, I used to call her Smiler. That's how we first got on talking," said Mrs Beer.

Lucy, who works in Wilkinson's store, Darlington, said she enjoyed helping Mrs Beer.

"I've always gone round to help and see how she is, we see each other every day," she said.

"She's such a nice person, and we've become really close."

Lucy will be presented with a Neighbour from Heaven certificate and is now in with a chance of winning the prize - a £1,500 holiday, courtesy of The Cruise Store, the new one-stop cruise shop in Going Places.

If Vera wins, she will receive £250-worth of holiday vouchers.

Mrs Beer said: "She really deserves something for the way she's helped me, and I'd love her to win this.

"A cruise is lovely, she deserves that. She's a perfect example that not all teenagers are bad."

Always providing a warm welcome

THEY say it's the small things in life that count. For Janet Pearson and her family it is these slight but important gestures that make Marjorie and Alan Hayton true Neighbours from Heaven.

The Pearson family, of Railway Cottages, Wear Valley Junction, Crook, County Durham, said they live next door to the kindest and most selfless people they know.

Rain or shine, and even through the snow, their next-door neighbours will call at their home and light their coal fire to give them a warm welcome.

They also think nothing of tidying up for them after the builders have been.

Janet, 36, said: "I saw the competition in the Echo and I thought of Marjorie and Alan immediately.

"They come into our home and they make sure it is all clean, neat and warm for when we finish work.

"They are completely selfless, so lovely and like a second family to us."

Marjorie, 58 and Alan, 60, have known Janet, and her husband, Trevor, all their lives as their own children used to play with them when they were young.

Today, Marjorie's door is always open for Janet and Trevor, but she says that she thinks the friendship she offers is nothing out of the ordinary.

Marjorie said: "I admit that there were tears when they told me they had nominated us.

"We have known Janet and Trevor for years and it's really nice to be living next door to them.I don't think what we do is strange. It just comes naturally to us and we are pleased that we can help them out when we can.

To nominate someone for the award - known as an Obsa (Outstanding Behaviour Special Award), which is the opposite of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo), send your entry to: Northern Echo Neighbours from Heaven, Priestgate, Darlington DL1 1NF.

The closing date for entries is June 1.

* Durham Agency Against Crime is the latest organisation to back the initiative at its meeting yesterday.