A COMMUNITY worker says he is tired of people running down an estate when he and many others are working hard to improve it.

For many years, Hardwick estate, in Stockton, has suffered at the hands of vandalism, neglect and anti-social behaviour.

However, Colin Rigg, chairman of both the Neighbourhood Watch and Hardwick Development Group, said this was now changing, crime was going down and people were taking more pride in their neighbourhood.

He said: "It seems to me quite a few people want to knock our estate and, to be honest, I, along with many organisations working our socks off to make Hardwick a better place to live, are fed up to the teeth of being kicked down.

"I get so angry when I see pictures of the estate showing just boarded-up houses. It is not like that. Many people take great pride in their houses and have great community spirit. It is a place to be proud of.

"A lot of people talk about the anti-social behaviour in the area, but it is no more than any other estate."

Work on a £15m redevelopment of the estate, which involves knocking down some properties, has begun. Although the scheme has been criticised, Mr Rigg said it was another reason for residents to pull together.

He said: "There are many groups working hard to get it right and although there are the odd element working against it, the majority are working together.

"I just feel very strongly that we do not get a fair deal and it is not fair on all those who are working hard."