It is hoped the drama will show a more positive side to the road

The BBC Radio Berkshire drama, Oxford Road: The Story, aims to show a more positive side of the troubled Reading area.

The area has been at the centre of a major police crackdown targeting crack houses and the sex trade.

Efforts are also being made to instil more community pride into the area.

The people who live here said that it isn't a war zone and they wanted a better, more positive representation of their home Co-writer Mike Walker

The road has already been given its own website and festival.

Now a 12-part soap opera that will run throughout August has been launched on BBC Radio Berkshire.

The drama - to be broadcast at 1230 BST every Monday, Wednesday and Friday - will run from 2 to 29 August.

Co-writer Mike Walker, a veteran script-writer who has lived in Reading for 25 years, said: "The people who live here said that it isn't a war zone and they wanted a better, more positive representation of their home.