AN action plan is being drawn up to improve Wear Valley's biggest council estate, after a survey showed two-thirds of tenants felt unsafe.

The independent survey on the Woodhouse Close estate, in Bishop Auckland, found that while 70 per cent of people were happy with their homes, the same percentage were dissatisfied with the estate and just over two-thirds felt unsafe on the streets.

Wear Valley District Council and the Woodhouse Close Residents' Action Group commissioned a housing consultancy to carry out the survey and draw up an action plan.

The residents' group is also considering applying for funding for security wardens to patrol the estate.

On Saturday, a 77-year-old woman was sexually assaulted on the estate while out walking her dogs.

The crime has shocked local people and added impetus to a campaign to improve the estate.

Chairman of the Woodhouse Close Residents' Action Group, David Johnson, said about 100 people turned up to the group's last meeting to hear the survey results.

At the next meeting, on September 6, the group will elect a committee to press for improvement to be made.

Mr Johnson said: "At our last meeting the response was unbelievable. We still need this action group to get the feelings of people at ground-level."

The survey also found that more than three-quarters of tenants found boarded-up properties and run-down areas depressing.

One street which has particularly deteriorated is Ford Way. In the past 12 months tenants frightened by anti-social behaviour and drug abuse have been moved out, and properties vandalised.

Michael Laing the council's new housing director, has visited the estate each week to assess the problems.

He said: "The council wants to invest in the area. It is one of our priority areas.

"Until the housing committee has met I can't really say anything about Ford Way. But the first thing to do with boarded-up areas like that is stop them becoming derelict and do everything you can to secure them."

The council's next housing committee meeting takes place at Crook Civic Centre, on September 5, at 6pm