AN eight-week project to improve a neighbourhood by dealing with housing and rubbish problems is underway.

Durham County Council’s Community Action Team is to spend the next two months trying to improve South Moor, near Stanley, and offer residents advice on health and well-being issues.

The team will spend the first two weeks talking to residents to ask them to identify priorities for action during the final six weeks of the programme.

Among the issues to be tackled are improving housing standards, dealing with empty properties, removing rubbish and dealing with noise and underage drinking problems.

Residents meetings will take place at South Moor Methodist Church in Park Road on Monday, June 8 at 7pm and Monday, 20 July at 7pm.

Drop-in sessions will also be held at The Haven Community Centre in Park Road on Thursday, June 25 from 11.30am until 1pm and on Wednesday, July 1 from 10am until 12.30pm.

Joanne Waller, head of environment, health and consumer protection at Durham County Council, said: “This is a great opportunity for residents in South Moor to get involved with the Community Action Team and make sure their voices are heard.

“We would encourage as many people as possible to come along to the residents meetings and drop in sessions and help members of the team identify their priorities during their stay.”

During the project, walkabouts will take place in the area with various agencies including the streets next to Park Road and South Moor Road.

For more information, please call 03000 261016 or visit www.durham.gov.uk/CAT