FOOTBALLS invading your prized flowerbed, students enjoying all-night parties in the terraced house next door - it sounds like something from the Neighbours From Hell TV series.

For almost 100 residents in Preston the television images became a reality, and after enduring endless problems they turned to PANDA (Preston Area Neighbour Dispute Action) for help.

Thanks to a hard-working band of volunteer mediators, 90 per cent of the cases have shown signs of improvement, with peace descending on problem households. Project co-ordinator Dave Charnock said: "Many people feel talking will do no good and send police officers round or issue a solicitor's letter - which can often make the situation worse.

"We try to get people talking, and show them that their problems can be resolved by communicating. We have 31 trained mediators who will respond to a call for help within seven days helping solve issues covering all manner of issues."

But the service faces a bleak future, as funding runs out in March next year.

Dave added: "To continue to receive funding we are going to need to expand our services, so we are looking at moving into situations where people are being bullied.

"We are also going to be expanding our boundaries so there are more possibilities for funding in the future."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.