RESIDENTS in an area of Nelson have been made to feel more secure in their homes through the work of prisoners at a Lancashire jail and offenders on community orders.

As part of a pilot scheme to reduce the number of burglaries in Pendle, prisoners at Wymott Prison, Leyland, have made a set of cast-iron alley gates which seal off the back street of Burns Street and Chatham Street to intruders.

The gates, which are kept locked by residents, were fitted and painted by offenders working under the supervision of the probation service and the keys to the first set were officially handed over yesterday.

Resident Mary Edwards, who has lived in Chatham Street five years, said: "They seem OK and I think they will keep us safer. I feel safer already."

Anne Shaw, deputy manager of Pendle View care home, said: "I think it is a brilliant idea and will definitely be a deterrent to people.

"It will stop traffic going up and down the back street, prevent people parking on there and will stop people loitering at night.

A total of 72 sets of gates and posts are being made at the prison in the £250,000 pilot project.

Gates will be installed at each end of 36 back streets across Nelson and Colne with the aim of reducing burglary in the target area by 80 per cent in the first year.

Inspector Paul Robinson, of Nelson Police, welcomed the scheme and said there was every indication that the gates would lead to a significant reduction in burglaries, would reduce fly tipping and would lead to a decrease in fires which often occurred in back street rubbish.