AN enforcement officer has scooped a national award for his commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour.

Andy Bailey was runner-up in the personal achievement category at the first Neighbourhood Management Awards, held at Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire.

Mr Bailey works as part of Easington Colliery and Horden Neighbourhood Watch Management Pathfinder Partnership. His nomination read: "Andy is an active participant in Pathfinder activities, working to find effective and positive solutions to problems such as anti-social behaviour, particularly among young people.

"His personal intervention in the closure of a local youth centre raised £60,000 for an alternative venue, involved young people in its refurbishment and earned their respect, providing a significant launch for the Pathfinder efforts to improve youth provision.''