A SPECIAL community day designed to help improve a single Hartlepool street has been hailed a success.

A range of Hartlepool Borough Council teams and other agencies, including Cleveland Police, Cleveland Fire Brigade, Thirteen Group, Endeavour Housing and North Star Housing, came together to work with residents of Borrowdale Street and neighbouring areas.

A key feature of the day was a series of environmental improvement initiatives, including a clean-up of the area by residents with support from the council’s housing team and the Thirteen Group housing association.

Householders were also encouraged to personalise their bins for easy identification by decorating them, while Council staff were on hand to offer advice and information on recycling and refuse collection.

Representatives of the Council’s Community Safety Team visited homes to offer a range of security and crime prevention advice. Children were also able to take part in fun backstreet games organised by members of the Council’s Sport and Physical Activity Team.

An open day was held to enable people to view a once-empty three-bedroom property in Borrowdale Street that has been fully refurbished and brought back into use as part of the council’s Empty Property Purchasing Scheme.

Jean Shenava, Anti-Social Behaviour Officer, said: “The aim was for agencies to come together and engage with residents to help promote a safer environment and a sense of community. The day was a big success and I would like to thanks residents for playing their part.”