WORK has started on a project to make a north Durham community a safer and more pleasant place for residents.

The project in the William and Jane Street area of South Moor, Stanley, has been developed by environmental regeneration charity Groundwork West Durham working together with residents.

They aim to make the area a safer place to live and reduce crime and the fear of crime through a range of practical environmental improvements.

This will be achieved through the removal of features such as two seats which have caused residents many problems since they were installed.

Work will also be undertaken to clear an overgrown garden and resurface and light the cycle route to encourage greater use. A general tidying up of the area will make it more attractive.

The project is being run as part of Operation Gate It, which forms part of the Government's Together campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour and aims to deliver physical environmental improvements to areas which are run-down, badly designed or poorly maintained.