RESIDENTS who claim they are living on Darlington's "forgotten estate" are calling for more funding and better facilities.

People from Lascelles Park say they feel they have been neglected by Darlington Borough Council and want their area to be regenerated, like other estates in the town.

The estate has no community centre, has a row of derelict council flats which are soon to be demolished and what has been described as an unsightly row of shops.

But members of the Lascelles Park residents' association claim the estate was once a highly sought after address.

Association chairman Joe Prettyman said: "I can remember when this estate was one of the best estates in the town.

"But it has degenerated over the last three years. We feel we have become the forgotten estate, the one that always gets left out and left behind."

Mr Prettyman said some residents were working hard to revive life on the estate.

But a recent questionnaire pushed through the door of every household asking people what facilities they wanted got a poor response.

"What we need to see now is some action," said Mr Prettyman. "We don't want to see any more red tape. The council has spent a lot of money improving the inside of houses.

"But if they don't do anything to the outside environment, what's the point?"

The residents' association wants to see a greater police presence and a community centre.

Darlington Borough Council has set up a community partnership board, chaired by John Davidson, to try to attract funding for the area.

Community development worker Gillian Watson said things were starting to take shape.

"There's a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of really positive things in the pipeline.

"We've already got £20,000 for a play area and other projects ongoing," she said.

"The residents are working together to make it happen."

A council spokesman said the estate was in line for regeneration and some improvements were in place.

"Play workers have been organising different activities throughout the summer.

"There is a lot of work going on which the council is supporting to regenerate the Lascelles area."