THE re-birth of a Hartlepool housing estate is proving to be a real family affair.

Joe Atkins moved from Great Yarmouth to Central Estate and was then followed by his son, Lee Spencer, his ex-wife, Jean, and her daughter, Valerie Blackburn.

Confidence has grown in the area thanks to a Neighbourhood Management Initiative to give residents involvement in the estate's running.

An Interim Management Board (IMB) is working with Hartlepool Borough Council, and they have signed the Central Estate Neighbourhood Compact, an agreement detailing how board members will help tackle issues.

Project manager Lynn McPartlin said: "The council is committed to working with residents to make Central Estate a better place to live. The fact that the number of empty houses on the estate fell from 28 in April to just 11 last month reflects the area's increasing popularity."

To become involved with the IMB or to move on to the estate call (01429) 273900.