A BRAVE single mum who defied threats, intimidation and anti-social behaviour to evict a 'neighbour from hell' has been hailed a local hero.

Tracy Stewart kept a 14-month diary of her ordeal at the hands of a woman and her three sons who brought misery to the 38-year-old and other neighbours in Grosvenor Street, Radcliffe.

And the mum-of-two was the only person in the community to give evidence at the successful eviction hearing, brought by the Manchester & District Housing Association.

Now, in a tribute to Tracy's actions, she has emerged as one of 12 north west citizens who received £1,000 as winners of the Home Office's Together Taking a Stand Awards. She will use the money to fund activities for local children.

Tracy, who has a 14-year-old son and five-year-old daughter, was flown down to London for the ceremony, attended a champagne dinner and stayed overnight in a top hotel.

It was a fitting reward for the woman who even today is still suffering damage to her home and who is due to give evidence in court later this month.

Trouble started for Tracy not long after she moved into her terraced Manchester & District Housing Association home in September 2002.

"There was a woman living directly next door to me and so were her three sons who basically were just dossing down there. From the living room on the first floor, the sons would urinate and vomit out of the window and their four dogs would be barking in my garden and doing their business, she recalled.

"There was loud music and partying into the early hours of the morning and they would be fighting on the drive. One of the lads had a machete and was chasing fellows up the street. They would bring a sofa outside, sit there and drink and throw bottles across the street.'

The windows of her home suffered damage and her TV satellite dish was ripped down.

In March 2003, her landlords urged Tracy to keep a daily diary of events and also installed covert CCTV equipment to allow her to record vital footage for evidence. "As soon as I had something on video, the association would pick it up and added it to their overall case. They were very supportive."

Tracy incurred the wrath of her next door neighbour, who she claims tried to kick down her door, and was given round-the-clock police protection. Her video and diary evidence proved critical when Manchester & District Housing Association's eviction order against the woman was upheld in May.

"Apparently, she had lived in that house for 16 years and had received warnings in the past. Other residents in the row of houses had also complained, but were too scared to follow it up," she added.

Tracy was the only person among her neighbours to go to court for the hearing and she admits she was "petrified" but determined. "I think the association also had some anonymous statements. But I was quite prepared to go to court. I wasn't going to let these people intimidate me. I wasnt going to leave my house because of these scum."

Since May, however, Tracys house has been targeted by vandals, who have broken windows and attacked her car. But she has no regrets.

Commenting on her award, she went on: "It's fantastic. Originally, I had decided to use the £1,000 to put up bollards to help reduce speeding traffic in this area. But I've changed my mind and instead will set up an activity club for the children around here."

The Home Office Together Taking a Stand Awards are designed to pay tribute to the commitment and bravery of those who take a stand against vandals, thugs and nuisance neighbours.

Tracy and the other winners received their awards from Home Office Minister Hazel Blears and TV presenter Fiona Bruce.