RESIDENTS across the Scarborough area have called for better transport and safer streets in a survey carried out as part of a £420,000 scheme to launch community-led projects.

Thousands of people living in the town and the surrounding area were given the opportunity to highlight issues in the community which they would like to see improved or changed.

The survey included the views of dozens of community groups and organisations in the seven wards of Scarborough Borough Council.

The Quality of Life surveys were carried out by the borough council as part of the Government's Community Regeneration Initiative, which awarded the area £420,000 to invest in community regeneration projects over the next four years.

The results of the surveys in Eastfield, Falsgrave, Borrowcliffe and Castle wards are being published in a report, and feedback sessions with residents have been held in several wards by special steering groups.

It shows residents' priorities include safer streets, restoring community pride, better transport links, improved health provision, improved litter collection and more activities and centres for young people.

At Borrowcliff, there are already teams of residents holding regular meetings with councillors, police, health workers and youth workers to discuss possible projects and improvements to existing schemes.

Plans have recently been put in place to create a youth forum, a community regeneration company and a centre for young people.

The Falsgrave and Castle ward steering groups held feedback sessions and are drawing up an action plan to set up projects and a community group to oversee them.

Cliff Southcombe, from community group Social Enterprise, which is helping to co-ordinate the Quality of Life initiative, said: "I would like to thank the many people from all parts of the community for taking part in the programme. I hope that all of those who have been so willingly involved will stay involved.

"There is a big job to be done and we will need board members, workers, managers and volunteers for all the projects that are going to come from this important piece of work."