Residents who have suffered abuse and nuisance from pupils are to invite them to their homes under a new scheme to bring the neighbourhood closer together.

As part of the Citizenship curriculum, the programme will see young people from Immanuel Community College gardening under the supervision of teachers.

It represents a positive turn in the relationship between neighbours and pupils from the school in Thackley, some of whom were persistent trouble-makers when they played truant.

The scheme was the brainchild of John Wills, secretary of the Idle Village Tenants and Residents' Association.

Mr Wills chaired the residents' meetings for more than a year and has worked closely with the police schools liaison officer, PC Paul Harkin, who led a successful zero tolerance campaign against truancy from the school.

"The peak of the trouble was about 12 months ago. Sixty people came to complain about general nuisance.

"At this month's meeting there was nobody there so this is proof that things have improved.

"This scheme seems to be a natural progression to build trust in the community," he said.

Mr Wills will meet with the school and the police to discuss finer details of the project.

He also wants students to join the residents' meetings so that they too can have a voice in the local community.

And PC Harkin believes pupils will jump at the chance to take a hands-on lesson in citizenship.

"It's all about respect in the community," he said.

Janet Inglis, deputy head teacher, said she had had a positive response from students, who will receive a certificate from the police after their work in the community is completed.

She said: "About 20 of the pupils are going to start the project and we hope that others will follow.

"Right now they're getting plenty of practice in the school gardens - so they'll know the difference between plants and weeds."