PLANS to help residents of a Guisborough estate to reclaim it from intimidating youths and litterbugs are taking shape.

Problems on the Wilton Lane Estate became so bad that residents were unwilling to report incidents for fear of reprisals.

There were also issues about under-age drinking, youngsters having sex on overgrown pathways and the general untidiness of the area.

In a bid to tackle these problems, local councillors, police, crime prevention, neighbourhood services, Coast and Country Housing Association and education representatives are devising a multi-agency approach.

Supt Dee Collins said police had increased their presence on the estate when resources allowed, but were focusing their attention there at weekends.

"I was out and about there last Friday with two community support officers and it was very quiet. We spoke to people there, who seemed to be appreciative of the extra attention we are giving the area.

"We will continue to monitor the situation while working with the local authority to look at longer-term solutions. We want to encourage people to come and talk to us."

Redcar and Cleveland councillor, Joyce Benbow, who is the cabinet member for community safety, said the council's wardens were also looking at the problems there.

"This type of extra presence does help and the wardens have increased their presence. They are making themselves more visible.

"They are working towards finding a strategy to deal with problems there and then tackling them."

She added that a cleaning programme was also being developed for the estate, to remove litter and cut back over-grown shrubs and bushes.

"We are working with Coast and Country Housing on this. We would like the cleaning to start immediately. We are co-ordinating the effort with them and I think I can safely say it will start as soon as possible.

"If a place is clean and tidy, it is less likely to be littered again."

Steve Adey, from Coast and Country, added that it was starting a programme of walkabouts on its estates across the area, which coincided with the push to improve the Wilton Lane Estate.

During these walkabouts, residents' groups and other interested parties will get the chance to talk to Coast and Country representatives about issues of concern.

"As far as Wilton Lane Estate goes, we are going to be more proactive. We have been having meetings with the borough council about moving this forward and tidying it up.

"We need to nip these issues in the bud before they become major problems. We take any residents' concerns seriously and we are working to resolve them."