RESIDENTS determined to improve the area where they live have been drawing inspiration from award-winning improvements in Newcastle's East End.

Sharon and Martin Gollan, of the Victoria Residents Association in Chester-le-Street, were given a tour of the Railway Terraces in Heaton, Newcastle, to see how the area has been improved.

After reading about the project, the Chester-le-Street residents' group decided to work towards a feasibility study for a similar scheme for their own Victorian terraces in Cooperative Street.

Railway Terraces, with a mix of council and privately-owned homes, had similar problems to the Gollans' street, including a lack of parking spaces and danger from speeding cars.

But following consultation with residents, railings and gates were installed to give greater security and privacy, as well as off-street parking.

Street lighting was improved and traffic-calming measures were introduced.

The Victoria Residents' Association will incorporate some of the ideas into its plans.

The chairman of the East End Partnership, Councillor George Douglas, said: "It is most gratifying to learn that our solution to the problems for houses in Newcastle is seen as a potential solution for houses with similar problems in another town.