A TROUBLED estate in Preston is receiving a face-lift thanks to a newly-formed action group run by residents themselves.

The Avenham Tenants Action Group (ATAG), which recently held its first annual general meeting, has in the space of just 12 months improved conditions in the the community with the help of Preston Borough Council.

Councillor Ronald Atkins, a member of the group, said: "Nothing can help the people of Avenham more than improving the environment and the landscape for them to live in. "The tenants deserve credit because they have put in a lot of work. It is offering the community hope.

"It is one of the most successful community groups I have ever known in a long political career," he added.

Improvements over the past year have included:

Better lighting on some of the streets;

new security locks for many tenants;

a garden tool library set up for residents to use and

a series of successful coffee mornings to improve community spirit.

There is also an office on the estate, in the Foxton Community Centre, Knowsley Street, which is open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings with representatives on hand to offer a wide range of advice to residents.

Residents needs are looked into by the group, sometimes in the form of surveys, and proposals forwarded to the council who decide whether the improvements can be made.

There are currently 16 residents on the group's committee and there are also 12 associate members including Councillor Atkins and a county Councillor.

Further plans to improve lighting in the area and repair residents fences are in the pipeline for this year.

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