TOWN centre families are joining forces to clean up their community and create two outdoor havens for residents of all ages.

Home-owners in Spennymoor formed Eden Residents' Association last September to drive drug users away from their doorsteps.

Less than a year on, two of the community's drugs and vandalism blackspots have been cleared and residents have noticed a fall in anti-social behaviour.

A former water board site owned by Sedgefield Borough Council had become overgrown with shrubs and trees which offered shelter to drug users.

The association asked the borough council to remove the hedges and now Spennymoor Town Council is to donate basketball hoops and football goals to form a recreation area.

Association secretary Cynthia Bell said: "We want to give kids something positive to put their energy into. There is nothing for them to do here without crossing a busy road, so they get bored and sometimes get into trouble."

PC Brian Hall, one of three Spennymoor beat officers, said: "There has certainly been a fall in anti-social behaviour and crime recently and the residents' association has helped the police by providing information such as addresses being used for drug dealing."

The group has also started to transform two plots at Timothy Terrace Allotments into a community garden with disabled access.

The plots were overgrown and used for fly-tipping when the association took them over in March.

With help from local police, Neighbourhood Watch and the probation service they have been cleared of rubbish.

PC Hall said: "Both schemes will benefit the area by creating valuable community resources and encouraging people to take pride of their community."

The association plans to build raised beds before spring when pupils at Rosa Street Primary School will help plant flowers, fruit and vegetables.

Pauline Freeman, assistant treasurer, said: "We want to get everyone involved. The garden will be somewhere nice to relax and give people a new interest.

"It will be educational for the children, will keep them occupied and, as they contribute to the community, I hope they care about it and look after it."

To volunteer to work on the allotment or to make a donation towards the scheme, call Sarah Norman, of the Neighbourhood Watch group, on (01325) 742755.