A NEWLY-formed community group will benefit from a £120,000 scheme that could mark a turnaround in fortunes for the area.

At the end of last month, about 50 residents of the Bankfields estate, in Eston, Teesside, signed an agreement to form a community association.

The move followed a decision to adopt a joint approach, involving the police, council, and other agencies, in tackling the area's problems.

In 1999, the estate won notoriety when The Oakley Walk Aged Persons' Centre was stoned. More recently, residents have complained of motorcycle riding through the estate, intimidation by youths, and vandalism.

Councillor Dave McLuckie, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's lead member for community safety, said the decision to work together had resulted in excellent progress.

"The whole community, including young people, the elderly, and middle-aged people turned up to the latest meeting, and immediately agreed to form an association," he said.

"They said they would look to prepare a community appraisal, looking at how the problems can be solved. Redcar and Cleveland council has received £120,000 from the Government's Community Empowerment scheme, and one of the first groups to take advantage of it will be the new community association in Eston."

Among the measures the grant could pay for are the installation of chicanes and "kissing gates" to block the path of motorcyles.

Coun McLukie said: "The beauty of this money is that it's there to improve neighbourhoods and can only be spent by people living there. I have been to more than 20 community meetings across the borough and Bankfields is the first to integrate everyone."