BATTLING neighbours are being urged to fight it out face to face - armed with only words.

Housing associations have joined forces to set up Lancashire's first mediation service aimed at resolving disputes peacefully between residents.

Volunteer mediators encourage rivals to come together and talk before the conflict reaches crisis point.

Mediation project co-ordinator Dave Charnock said: "Taking somebody to court can be long-winded and often does not provide a solution.

"The outcome is a winner and a loser. The problem can escalate and become more unbearable.

"Mediation is a civilised, non-authoritarian method of resolving disputes. Our volunteers are impartial and non-judgemental.

"They work in pairs to provide different perspectives such as two different generations or cultures. We have a weeding-out process to assess if mediation is suitable.

"If there is a history or threat of violence in the dispute, we do not mediate. Once we've got both sides together, a solution quickly follows. Often it is just a case of the neighbours simply understanding each other's lifestyles." The mediation service is free and confidential for Preston home-owners and council tenants, and New Progress tenants in South Ribble.

For details on the service or to sign up for the next 40-hour long volunteers' course which takes place in May and June, telephone 01772-558978.

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