STREETS in Nelson are being targeted as part of a scheme to make the area cleaner and safer.

As part of Street Pride Week, Pendle’s Community Safety Partnership is addressing concerns raised by residents in part of the Bradley area.

Householders will be offered free advice on fire and crime prevention, health and housing, help with litter picking and spread community spirit.

If the pilot project proves successful then it will be rolled out across the rest of the area later in the year.

The initiative kicked off yesterday with a clean-up exercise at the backs of Reedyford Road, Rutland Street and Newport Street.

Residents whose properties do not have back gates are being offered the chance to have them fitted free of charge to prevent fly tipping.

The work, which will also involve removing graffiti, will be carried out by offenders supervised by Lancashire Probation Trust.

There will also be a competition for the best backyard as part of an Environmental Visual Audit from Reedyford Road to Cliffe Street.

The winner will be announced at the Hey Street Open Space family fun day on Saturday, which marks the end of Street Pride Week.

Tim Horsley, anti-social behaviour co-ordinator for the partnership, is leading the week of action.

He said: "Street Pride Week is part of our promise to work with residents to keep our neighbourhoods clean and safe.

“If we want to continue to keep our neighbourhoods clean and tidy, we all have to play our part.”

Saba Iftikhar, vice chair of the Bradley Residents Association, said: "It's all about getting everyone to take pride in where they live and hopefully they’ll get fully involved and see a big difference."

The partnership is made up of organisations including Lancashire Police, Lancashire Fire and Rescue, NHS East Lancashire and Pendle Council.

Street Pride Week is part of the borough's pledge to making Pendle a better place to live, learn, work, play and visit.

Coun Nadeem Ahmed, who has responsibility for community involvement, said: "We’ve had great feedback from residents when we’ve run similar initiatives in the past.”

The Mayor of Pendle Coun Marjorie Adams is formally unveiling Hey Street Open Space at the family fun day on Saturday.

The day has been organised to celebrate a £140,000 of investment to significantly improve the area.