WORK will get under way later this year on a new phase of alleygating in Middlesbrough.

The £500,000 two-year project is being funded by Middlesbrough Council, the Single Regeneration Budget, Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and European funding.

It will target areas of the town where there is a problem with thieves using back alleys to break into houses.

A report going to the meeting of the council's executive identifies neighbourhoods in North Ormesby and the Park, Linthorpe and University wards of town as the most likely sites for alleygates.

The work will begin after the manager of the alleygates project has met and discussed a plan of action with residents.

Alleygates were introduced to improve security for people living in terraced houses in and around the town centre, and to stop back alleys being used for illegal and anti-social rubbish dumping.

Residents are given keys to get in and out and are given the main responsibility for making sure the scheme runs smoothly. So far, about 7,000 properties benefit from alleygates.

Councillor Barry Coppinger, executive member for community safety and leisure, said: "I am pleased we now have funding to install alleygates in other parts of the town. They have worked well and have helped keep homes safer and streets cleaner.

"They have also been useful in giving residents practical experience of managing their own neighbourhood, as it is very much their job to ensure the alleygates work properly and that everyone signs up to the scheme.

"The precise locations for the new alleygates will be worked out with the residents themselves.

"They need to be vigilant and make sure all the alleygates are doing the job they are intended to do. In return, they get a much better environment so I am hoping we can start a constructive dialogue about this project with them."