A Bristol neighbourhood has won a national award after it demonstrated how it successfully manages clean, safe and green issues.
Keep Britain Tidy just awarded the Upper Horfield neighbourhood a 'Quality Mark' in recognition of the successful work carried out by a partnership of agencies and local residents.
David Cockcroft, housing director at Keep Britain Tidy said: "The work of the Pride of Place Action Group and its partners is an excellent example of how working together can make areas cleaner, safer and greener. The assessors were very impressed with the energy and commitment of all those involved, and the award illustrates the impact they have made."
The area is in the first ten in the country to receive such and award and is the first in the South West region.
The Pride of Place Action Group, which has been working hard to get the award, is led by Bristol Community Housing Foundation (BCHF) and involves local resident street representatives, the police, Bristol City Council, Safer Bristol and Sita.
It was set up 18 months ago to maintain the quality of the local area and help residents who have issues with their waste and recycling.
The group meets monthly to identify issues and agree action. It carries out regular walk-abouts with BCHF's housing officers to inspect the estate and conduct litter picks.
Scott Jacobs-Lange, a community worker at BCHF, said "This award gives recognition to the value of residents working together with their public sector partners.
"When residents identify a problem with clean, safe or green issues, they know there is a place where they can speak directly to the officer responsible and the group monitors progress and reports back when the problem is fixed.
"It has created such a valuable local partnership and I believe it is a model for improving satisfaction in neighbourhood services. "
So far the group has secured additional litter bins on the main routes to schools, a new plastic bottle bank outside Filton Avenue library and trained volunteer street reps to conduct waste visits in the area.
It is also able to escalate 'stubborn' issues about community safety to the Horfield and Lockleaze Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meetings.
Phil Wilson, a BCHF tenant from Upper Horfield, added: "Being awarded the Quality Mark is a huge reward for all the hard work we've all put in over the past eighteen months.
"We intend to continue to dedicate ourselves to keeping this area clean, safe and green and would love to see more local people at our meetings and walkabouts. It's fun as well as rewarding and it's also a good way to meet people."