 The event will celebrate the diversity of the Oxford Road |
Residents whose lives have been blighted by drugs and prostitution are being offered a chance to restore community pride. The Oxford Road area in Reading, Berkshire, has become the focus of high-profile police efforts to tackle drug-dealers and the sex trade.
But a different tack is now being taken to improve life locally.
A week of festivities, called the Oxford Road Celebration, has been organised by council bosses.
 |  There is a huge amount of good work going on in the Oxford Road  |
Local businesses and organisations are being invited to bid for up to �200 to run an event during the week in September. After months of arrests and raids on crack-houses as part of Operation Eightfold, it is hoped news of the festival will give residents something positive on which to focus.
The celebration, which could become an annual event, has been backed by local councillors.
Councillor for Battle ward Tom Crisp said: "Chris Maskell, Tony Jones and I really hope this idea takes off.
"We know this is a great area, so something which brings the community together is very welcome."
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