A group of Old Trafford residents have transformed their tin can alley into a shining beacon for community life.

Residents on Carlton Street, just off Ayres Road, look set to be among the first recipients in Trafford of alley gates' following a two-year clean-up campaign.

The neighbours first resolved to take action in May 2005 when more than 40 residents met and set up the Community Alleygator Association'.

And the pilot scheme has been such a success that Trafford council has earmarked additional funding for the gating of alleyways in nearby neighbourhoods experiencing crime.

The group began their alley clean up initiative in the summer of 2005 and expect to receive their news alley gates by next month.

"We has heard of previous alley improvements schemes in Salford and Whalley Range and decided to act; but it's taken quite a bit of campaigning by our group to get to this stage," said group spokeswoman Taina Rahkola.

"We had experienced the usual problems with fly tipping and gangs of youths hanging around the alleyway and it became clear at the meeting that the main concern, particularly amongst elderly residents, was safety.

"The aim is not to exclude or to restrict use of the alleyways but to enable residents and shop keepers to have more say in what happens in our own back yard.

"Now we know that the gates are coming it feels great and we're planning to have a party to celebrate; because it's such a multi-cultural area we're thinking about a mini food festival.

"We want to create a space we can enjoy and where our children can play in a safe and clean environment and we have already got neighbourhood gardening and artwork shops planned for the summer."

Environmental charity Groundwork is working in partnership with Trafford Council, the Neighbourhood Management Team and residents to deliver four pilot alley gate schemes in Old Trafford.

Programme manager Tina Blake said: "The alleygator' group has been particularly proactive in the consultation process and have previously held events to raise funding for their alley way.

"They have also held successful clean up events in the alley and have recently secured funding from the Cash For Action grants scheme to fund another clean up and celebration event.

"It is hoped that residents will have a safe space for their children to play and the residents will be able to create a green haven with planters and hanging baskets in the alley way."