ANNE-Marie Smith has been hailed a neighbourhood star for her work stamping out anti-social behaviour in her community.

Juggling her voluntary work with her role as a mother to six children and foster mum to two others, she also set up PACT - Parents Action for the Community and Town - in Bank Top, Blackburn.

The group, which meets at Lawrence Street, gives teenagers somewhere to go to stop them congregating on street corners and getting into trouble. Nominating her for our Neighbour of the Year award, Andrew Pratt, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council's drug action team co-ordinator, said Anne-Marie had worked tirelessly and unselfishly to improve the lives of her neighbours.

He said: "Anne-Marie and other parents decided something must be done after large numbers of children were congregating on street corners, participating in anti-social behaviour, criminal activity and drug experimentation, which blighted the lives and peace of the community."

Anne-Marie set up PACT to investigate the cause of the problems . The group became an official body, with Anne-Marie as chairman in October 2001, and they managed to secure premises by renting an old pub, the Cheetham Arms.

The children using these premises were invited to decorate the interior of the building. Local businesses then donated computers for children to use in the evenings to complete their homework. A mother and toddler group has also been set up.

Mr Pratt said: "PACT has had a positive impact and this can be seen from the reduction in the number of children that congregate on street corners.

"It would never have materialised were it not for the dedication of Anne-Marie. She made an enormous amount of effort to reduce the social problems blighting her neighbourhood."

A modest Anne-Marie said: "PACT is very much a community effort. It's all about helping each other and bringing back the spirit where you feel you can rely on your neighbours."

Nominees for all 11 Pride of East Lancashire Awards sections can be put forward by a third party or can enter themselves.

To log your nomination, complete the correct form at www.thisislancashire.co.uk or in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph or Citizen. The Neighbour of the Year will win a £2,000 holiday and £1,000 cash. All nominations must be received by September 30.