The road is one of the main routes into the town centre

The website aims to create a sense of community around Oxford Road - an area that has been the focus of police raids on crack cocaine dens and prostitution.

Many town residents link the area to rises in crack use and related crime.

Reading West MP Martin Salter, whose constituency offices are on the road, made the website live at 0900 BST at Oxford Road's Battle Library.

I think there's so much negative press and, particularly as I live in the area, I think it would be good to get something positive out there Sarah Daly

The website is part of a wider scheme by residents and community leaders to bring together the community around the town's most infamous street.

Hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of regeneration grants are already being ploughed into the area.

The new website, run by local community workers, will provide residents and visitors with information and advice.

Battle Libary worker Marjory McClure told BBC News Online just after the launch: "We hope people will go on and get excited about it and then want to get involved.

"It's a website for the people run by the people."

Sarah Daly, Oxford Road Community Development Worker, works closely with residents' groups and is behind the launch of the website.

Week-long arts festival

Ms Daly said: "I think there's so much negative press and, particularly as I live in the area, I think it would be good to get something positive out there.

"And that's what people were saying to me - they would like to see more positive images."

Reading Borough Council has also launched the Oxford Road Celebration, a week-long arts festival to be held in September.

Hand-outs of �200 are being made available to about a dozen groups to help put on events for the community.

A community garden with allotments is another of the projects to arise from the regeneration of the area.