A community scheme, which has helped reduce crime on a problem estate by 64% in just three years, has won a national award.

The Blackthorn estate beat 80 contenders to win the Award for Urban Renaissance.

Residents were praised for the way they have helped cut crime and anti-social behaviour in partnership with the police and local council.

The scheme at the Blackthorn estate in Northampton has seen the crime rate drop from 832 cases in 1998 to 292 in 2001.

CASPAR has been a fantastic success - this award is the icing on the cake

Keith Davies, Northampton Borough Council

Local residents on the estate got together with police and councils to try to cut burglary.

On Friday, the Blackthorn CASPAR, which stands for Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour Partnership, was named as the winner for the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's Award for Urban Renaissance.

'Extremely happy'

Scheme projects include more use of CCTV cameras, fencing in alleyways, improving lighting, installing locks and alarms, as well as new safer play areas for children.

The projects have been backed by Northampton Borough Council and Northamptonshire County Council.

Keith Davies, leader of Northampton Borough Council, said: "We are extremely happy that Blackthorn's CASPAR project has won this much-deserved award.

"CASPAR has been a fantastic success - this award is the icing on the cake."