A SCHEME to breathe a new community spirit into former mining towns has been launched.

Derwentside District Council has set up an accreditation scheme to encourage private landlords to clean up their properties.

Council bosses hope that good properties available to rent in problem areas such as Craghead and South Moor, near Stanley, will attract good tenants, breaking a cycle of anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

Coun Bill Armstrong, the council's portfolio holder for health, said: "The scheme is long overdue.

"Craghead and South Moor are in disrepair. The terraces are in a state - in some streets, there are only a couple of decent houses and the rest need tearing down.

"Now we are forming a partnership with landlords, hopefully we can upgrade these properties. And if you have a healthy home, you have a good start for a healthy life."

The scheme is voluntary and is free to join. Officers inspect properties and those that meet the standards will be accredited.

Andrew Howstan, in charge of the scheme, said: "The benefits to private landlords are that it gives them a market advantage.

"Also these properties will attract a better level of tenant, reducing property abuse.

"This should help to engender a stronger sense of community in the likes of Craghead and South Moor and bring back some pride in the area."

As an added incentive, a number of businesses in North-West Durham have already agreed to give discounts on goods such as furniture and white goods that are destined for accredited properties.

The scheme was drawn up with the help of Derwentside Private Landlords Association and a property owner will have to be a member of the association to qualify.

Since talks on the project began in March, the association has seen membership more than treble, from eight landlords to 29.

Association chairman Trevor Dixon gave the scheme a cautious welcome. He said: "While we are pleased that it has brought in more members, it is not perfect.

"We would like to see it graded in terms of rent. Otherwise, a good landlord is getting the same rent as a slum landlord and the bad landlord has no real incentive to join."

Landlords interested in joining the accreditation programme should contact Mr Howstan on (01207) 218324.