A COMMUNITY group has been given a Government Respect award in recognition of members' efforts at making their area a safer place to live.

Revidge Community Ass-ociation was set up in January, 2001, in response to a rising tide of disrespect in the area around St Silas' Primary School, Clematis Street, Blackburn.

And during the past six years it has secured more than £58,000 of funding for a multi-games area to give youngsters a place to play and also for a community hub building where a number of lessons and meetings take place.

Football coaching takes place at the games area, while at the hub, in New Bank Road, classes are run in poetry, language and computer tuition.

PC Paul Schofield, who nominated the group for the award, praised the association's secretary, Judy Smith, for her work in improving the area.

He said that although he could not put an exact figure on it, crime had fallen in the area since the association was set up.

Trish Ferrarin, chairman of the association, said the area was still not clear of problems, but that it was much better.

She said there was now a rota of five volunteers who helped run the centre.

Miss Ferrarin said: "We had no facilities in our area but we have raised more than £58,000 to set up what we have now."

She said the problems were mainly around the playground of St Silas Primary School where youngsters gathered to drink and there was also drug dealing taking place.

Miss Ferrarin said "Judy has been responsible for getting the paperwork and funding, and I do the football coaching."

She said it was nice for the group to be recognised,but that another reward was the sense of community that had been created in the area.

The group has been given £1,000 as a prize.