RESIDENTS in a crime-hit area of Preston say drugs, anti-social behaviour and filthy streets are the main issues they want dealt with.

It comes after the launch of a Government-funded pilot scheme aimed at helping to make residents in Ingol and Tanterton feel safe in their communities.

The area is one of only eight places nationwide to benefit from the National Reassurance and Restoration initiative which will involve input from the city's police and council chiefs.

Working with a number of other local groups the project aims to pinpoint the main worries of residents before working with them to tackle the problems. It follows a public meeting two months ago when 150 residents pledged their support for the scheme.

Denise Hartley, director of Ingol and Tanterton Group said: "Residents are very proud of this area and want to get involved as they have so much community spirit."

Since the meeting there have already been two clean-up days when residents rid the pavements of litter.

Plans are now in the pipeline to organise a place for young people to play sports in a safe environment where they are less likely to become involved in anti-social behaviour. Residents have also been helping police with their crackdown on drugs in the area. Inspector David Aston, of Lea Police, said: "They really have been magnificent and have given us information which has helped us to get drug warrants."

Chief executive of Preston City Council, Jim Carr, believes the scheme will benefit the whole area.

"The reason we chose the Ingol ward is because the community is so developed in what they want to do with their area," he said.

"Instead of waiting until something has happened we are looking at the source of the problem. We hope there will be a substantial improvement in the area."