A TOWN'S residents can feel more secure at night because of work to clear footpaths and cut back shrubs.

A series of improvements mean the routes in Washington are safer for residents, particularly children using footpaths which lead to schools.

The work on Washington's 50 hectares of plantations is being carried out after consultation with Northumbria Police and ward councillors.

Sunderland City Council's parks team tackled pruning and removal of shrubs and trees, which were, in some cases obscuring street lighting and reducing views along footpaths from the road.

At the same time, the areas have been given an early spring clean with the removal of litter.

Work involving the 12-strong parks team is now complete at Ayton, Oxclose and Lambton.

Three-quarters of the work is complete at Emerson and the scheme for the Fatfield area is due to be finished next month.

The team has removed 35 tonnes of timber and 98 tonnes of rubbish, including general litter and larger items that had been fly-tipped.

Meanwhile, a £6,000 community project that has transformed a piece of derelict land in Washington is making the area safer for residents.

Grading and seeding of land at the rear of Manor View East, near Usworth Park, will also make it easier for regular maintenance to take place.

The thinning of a woodland plantation nearby will help eliminate anti-social behaviour, according to the council and police partnership members.