A PENSIONER who headed a campaign to help rid her village of a gang of drug dealers will travel to London today to get an award recognising her tireless efforts.

Anne Blewitt, who is chairwoman of the Community Enterprise Group, Grange Villa, near Chester-le-Street, will receive a Taking a Stand award, from the Home Office's anti-social behaviour unit.

The award comes as preparations are made to officially open a new community centre on Friday.

Miss Blewitt, who demanded police action to tackle drug dealers, said: "I am proud to be getting the award. I will be accepting it on behalf of the community which has stood together."

The problem began 18 months ago when empty properties in the area were occupied by problem tenants and the village become a magnet for drug users and dealers.

Miss Blewitt, 62, who used to work in a cable-making factory in Birtley, said: "When the drug dealers were here, life was terrible.

"I had armed sieges outside my own back gate and you couldn't leave your door unlocked for a minute.

"Parents were reluctant to let their children play outside in case they picked up discarded needles. It got so bad we decided enough was enough and called a public meeting to demand action."

Police mounted an intensive operation - codenamed Yacca - over several months.

In March this year, dozens of officers sealed off the village's seven streets, raided a series of houses and arrested 18 people.

Miss Blewitt said: "Now the problem has been tackled the place is a pleasure to live in once again."

A string of other measures have either been put in place or are on the way.

These include Home Office funding for an accreditation officer to work with landlords to improve vetting and letting practices and anti-social behaviour orders against persistent troublemakers.

An accompanying cash prize of £1,000 goes to the enterprise group, which hopes to use the money as a way of attracting funding to set up a skateboard park or other facility for young people.

* Miss Blewitt and her fellow committee members are also in line for the Queen's Awards for Voluntary Service.

The 15 members of the enterprise group have been put forward by Chester-le-Street's community police inspector, Dave Marshall.

He said: "Grange Villa has a strong community spirit, which is epitomised by Anne and the rest of the group.

"The ladies have worked tirelessly to improve life in the village, and I am full of admiration for everything they have done, and continue to do.