SECURITY improvements are being made to houses in Winsford in an effort to make residents feel safer in their homes and cut down on anti-social behaviour.

Railings are being constructed around bungalows on Pentland Close as part of a £10,000 scheme after years of campaigning by Over Residents' Association.

One resident who is set to benefit from the work is Fred Bradshaw, who believes it will improve many people's quality of life.

He said: "It's great news because we have been asking for this for a long time. We used to have kids running around in our gardens causing trouble, so hopefully these railings will prevent them from doing that.

"It can be very intimidating for residents so I'm sure a lot of people will feel a lot safer now these railings are up and it is a good achievement for the residents' association."

The work has been paid for by Riverside Housing Group's environmental challenge fund after consultation with the Over Residents' Association.

Paul Page, assistant initiatives manager at Riverside, said: "The gardens were originally open plan with no fence boundaries.

"A local contractor is carrying out the work and, subject to ground conditions, the work should be finished in the new year. This fund promotes environmental projects that have the support of tenants and residents."

Alan Halpin, who was chairman of Over Residents' Association when a request for fencing was first made, is delighted improvements are now being made.

He said: "It has been a long time in coming but it is good to see some positive news in the area with the residents' association and housing trust working together."

phennessey@guardiangrp.co.uk