LANCASHIRE Chief Constable Paul Stephenson will join local residents on a Bacup estate later this month to celebrate a unique achievement.

Following months of hard work, an area of the Pennine Road estate known as Mettlecote, is to be presented with the country's very first Secured by Design Award for a public open space.

Secured by Design (SBD) is a national initiative which has the support of all police forces in England and Wales.

The award is a prestigious accolade which can only be handed out by police to developments which meet nationally agreed standards of environmental layout and physical security.

A number of housing developments, retail outlets, business premises and car parks in Lancashire already hold the award, but Mettlecote in Rossendale is the first public open space to achieve the prestigious accolade.

Representatives from Groundwork Rossendale and Bacup Pride Community Action Group will join residents and the Chief Constable on May 31.

In order to reach the high standards required, The groups worked closely with Crime Reduction and Architect Liaison Officer PC Dave Sykes, from Pennine Police.

PC Sykes said: "The public space was created after a number of houses were demolished in December 2001. Our aim was to create a safe but pleasant area which local people could enjoy with their children.

"The development, which was Designed by Landscape Architect Catherine Pearse from Groundwork, it was completed only after full consultation with the local community."

A number of factors were considered when designing and constructing the space including:

Tree planting -- narrow upright trees were used to aid vision and the feeling of safety.

Shrubbery -- planted and pruned back to give good visibility and a perception of safety. Aggressive, spikey shrubs were used in key areas to aid security.

Access -- the area is controlled via aggressive shrubbery, bollards and rumble strips on the ground. Good visibility, straight lines in and out of the area and the fact that the area is overlooked make for added security.

Tar Spray Chip -- to make path surfaces safer.

Street Lighting -- positioned for maximum effect and security.

Seating -- retained to allow residents to sit and enjoy the site and give parents somewhere to sit and watch their children.

Spring flowering and bulb planting -- to help maintain year-round colour and interest in the area.

PC Sykes added: "Reaching the high standards demanded for Secured by Design Status is a fantastic achievement, one of which everyone involved should be very proud. Being the first public open space in the country to achieve this award makes it even more special for all concerned."

Catherine Pearse from Groundwork said: "Mettlecote is one of a number of practical projects we are carrying out as part of a long-term programme of work on the Pennine Road estate. These are a mixture of environmental improvements, as well as crime diversion activities with young people which are delivered through our highly successful Youth Works programme."