A TROUBLED Haslingden housing estate is to get a £780,000 make-over aimed at creating a fresh future and renewed community pride.

The ambitious project at West View, beset with a poor image and problems of crime and juvenile nuisance, finishes off the facelift of the town's housing estates.

The project, under the Action for Haslingden Partnership programme, also introduces an innovative multi-agency approach to improve the quality of life for West View residents.

As part of the project, a forum has been set up with tenants and young people to find out just what they want for their estate and a community development worker will link with them for the next 12 months.

In addition, Youth Works, one of the partners in the scheme, is relocating to West View, providing a community base, access to IT equipment, advice and information. A Learning Gateway programme is being set up, working with young people who have missed out with their education. Young people will also be able to work on improving their homes and environment through a jobs training programme being set up through Groundwork Rossendale and the New Deal employment scheme.

Contractors are expected to move onto the estate this summer, with tenders presently being drawn up for work to start on the 1960s-built blocks of flats. Initially, 83 out of the 132 homes will be involved in the improvements.

New roofs, cavity wall insulation, efficient heating systems and security systems will be included in the work, with traffic-calming measures also planned.

Andree Pomfret, project officer for Action for Haslingden, which is putting £250,000 into the project said: "The work is part of a complete package that aims to make West View residents of all ages proud of their homes and environment."

Janette Taylor of partners Eaves Brook Homes said some residents would remain in their homes during work while others would have to be temporarily rehoused.

She added: "We will attempt to minimise disturbance to residents."