PEOPLE living at a crime hotspot are cleaning up their area through their residents' association.

Residents living in and around Cluny Square, Southend, have decided to fight against the decline of their neighbourhood and set up their own association a few months ago.

Since then, Cluny Residents' Association has been lobbying organisations such as the police and the council for improvements, as well as liaising with different agencies to improve the lives of tenants.

Chairman John Barber, of St Luke's Road, Southend, said: "The difference has not been dramatic. There are still issues to be worked out.

"But there has been a change. There is less antisocial behaviour. There have been improvements in the park and in blocks of flats. But there is still a lot of work to do."

Mr Barber said despite Cluny Square's negative image, there were many people who wanted to improve the area, especially for families.

He said having a residents' association was making it easier to get results. He said: "There are a lot of people who care about the area. Although there is still some apathy, things are being done to make the area better.

"It seems to me that when you act alone, it doesn't have the same impact. When I approach the police or anyone else, backed by a residents' association, they are more likely to listen.

"It's an empowering unit and I think that's great. There are many great things happening in our community. People are becoming more aware of the need to work together."

The association's next open meeting will be on Monday, April 23, from 7pm to 9pm at St Edmunds hall, in Pantile Avenue.

All five candidates for the St Luke's ward in the local elections on May 3 have been invited to speak about their policies.