WE LOVE our neighbours! That is the rallying cry from householders in Middleton Road, Acomb, York, who want to celebrate the good things about their community.

Pensioner Ethel Faul, 74, was so sick of reading reports about "neighbours from hell" and youth crime in west York, that she and other residents formed a Live In Love group to spread a positive message about the area.

They have now organised a Festival of Love, which will take place at The Acomb Hotel tomorrow, to bring the community together.

"I was sick of seeing all these stories about neighbours from hell, youths from hell and violence," said Ethel, who has lived in the street for 18 years with her husband, Michael.

"There are a lot of good things happening in the world. We have a wonderful community and want to show that the opposite has been happening here."

The festival will include a cutest baby competition, community singing, fancy dress, raffles and a tombola, and any money raised will go towards helping the needy and homeless in Acomb. Brownies from Our Lady's Church will be singing songs from musicals.

Acomb Hotel landlord Paul Harris, who has given use of his his function room free of charge for the event, encouraged everyone from the area to go along with their families.

"There are a lot of nice people in Acomb and this event is about celebrating that," he said.

Acomb attack victim Doug Unwin, who was scarred for life by young thugs, said: "I applaud the sentiments, because anything that takes peoples' minds off the nightly trouble is a good thing."

For more information about the event, which will run from 10am until 4pm, phone Ethel on 01904 339985.

Updated: 10:28 Friday, March 05, 2004