CRIME-RIDDEN alleys are to be cleaned up to cut burglary, drug dealing and vandalism.

Under measures to be announced next month town halls will be given new powers to close them off if they used by criminals or louts or plagued by litter.

And what a welcome step that must be to the hundreds of householders who would feel much safer if residents only had access to their backs.

Earlier this year residents in the Firs Lane area of Leigh welcomed the gating of their alley which was being used by all and sundry.

A little bird tells me another trial is on the cards and will be carried out within the next 12 months on Westleigh's Trees Estate.

After a successful experiment in Liverpool government ministers want to widen to scheme but are expecting complaints about the loss of rights of way.

Which is more important? I know what I'd say.