A GROUP of residents are using people power to put the pride back in their area.

The Nixon Triangle Residents Association at Daubhill was formed last autumn, and already the members have secured a piece of land which will be fenced and made into a safe recreation area.

Treasurer Mr Neil Zeller, a father of three, said: "We really are bringing the neighbourhood together." The Association was born after Mrs Jo May moved into the area and saw the problems. She got together with neighours, including Mr Zeller, and a public meeting was organised.

Mr Zeller said: "We had some trouble in the school holidays with children playing in the streets and annoying the elderly, so we decided to get together and get something done about it."

About 20 people turned up at the first meeting and from there the project snowballed.

The Association gets its name from a triangle of roads and streets which takes in Nixon Road, Milson Avenue, St. Helens Road, Woodbine Road, Hooton Street, Southend Street, Henry Lee Street and Morris Green Lane.

"We decided to take a pride in the area. Some houses had been demolished on one of the streets and we applied to the council for grants. We plan to landscape the area and turn it into a piece of land for everyone to use," Mr Zeller added.

The committee is also working on a rat infestation problem on a piece of disused railway line nearby.

The Association is planning a launch party in the summer. It is already running courses on child protection and it sends out a regular newsletter. In the summer, it is planning day trips for the children and an OAPs' coffee club.

"We are putting the community spirit back into the area and everyone is working together," said Mr Zeller.

The association is holding its next meeting at 7.45pm on April 28 at the Church of the Nazarene, Southend Street, Daubhill.