COMMUNITY leaders handed out 80 alarms to the elderly at the weekend, to protect them from unruly youths.

The alarms, which make a noise that can be heard half-a-mile away, were distributed to pensioners in Normanby, near Middlesbrough.

They represent the latest bid by councillors, the police, residents and community wardens to combat anti-social behaviour at the former trouble hot-spot.

Councillor Sam Tombe, chairman of the Eston District Housing Committee, said the area had come a long way in recent months.

"Cleveland Street and the Methodist Church were targets for youths," he said. "Services were regularly broken up, and thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to houses.

"We set up a working group with the residents, the police and the wardens, and now we are bottom of the league for anti-social behaviour."

The community has been so successful in working together to tackle its problems that Councillor Dave McLuckie, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's lead member for community safety, recently indicated that it could receive a share of £120,000 from the Government's Community Empowerment Scheme.

Coun Tombe said that despite the progress made, it was important not to be complacent.

"We are trying to make sure the Normanby area stays free from trouble," he said. "A lot of older people live there and they are afraid to leave the house. Now they will be able to go out at night."