AN initiative that aims to make Hartlepool cleaner and more attractive has entered a new phase.

Officers from Hartlepool Borough Council have selected the West View and Brus area for a second Operation Clean Sweep blitz, which began yesterday and will run until Friday.

The initiative, the idea of mayor Stuart Drummond, involves the council, police, fire brigade and other organisations concentrating resources in particular areas of the town over five days to tackle a range of problems.

The aim is to address issues broadly based on five main themes - crime, health, environment, safety and education.

The first Operation Clean Sweep blitz targeted the Burbank area at the beginning of December and was hailed as a success.

It is hoped to repeat much of the work that was carried out there, including re-painting all lampposts, replacing or cleaning street lights, replacing missing street name plates and installing dropped kerbs.

The council's horticultural team, cleansing staff, litter pickers and anti-graffiti squad will also be working to improve the appearance of the area.

Mayor Drummond said: "We got some very positive feedback about the impact of Operation Clean Sweep in Burbank and we are hoping for a similar response from people in the West View and Brus area.

"It is our intention to continue rolling out the initiative until the whole town has benefited.

"The beauty of this initiative is that it does not cost us any money, it is just a case of organising ourselves a bit differently."

Residents are being invited to tell the council of issues they would like to see addressed in the area stretching from the Touchdown pub, along West View Road, down Davison Drive, up Warren Road and back to the Touchdown.

People are asked to contact (01429) 523333