HE'S their very own superman. Steve Newbury has led the fight against antisocial behaviour in a bid to clear up the streets of his Waterside estate.

Littering, graffiti, vandalism, cleaning up dog mess, clearing abandoned cars and cutting back overgrown shrubbery - no job is too big or too small.

Now he has been saluted for his outstanding efforts to improve his community and has been given a top government award.

Thanks to Steve's efforts, an action group was formed to tackle problems on the Netley View estate at Hythe.

In the year since it was formed the group has gone from strength to strength, with more than 100 of the 1,000 households now signed up.

Now Steve has received a Home Office Taking a Stand Award at a ceremony at the district council's headquarters in Lyndhurst.

Steve, who lives on the estate with his wife and daughter, told the Daily Echo: "We moved to Netley View from Devon and, for a quiet cul-de-sac close to the New Forest, the scale of the problems was completely unexpected.

"It wasn't hard to get people involved, communication was the thing. Everyone knows their next door neighbour but no one knows who is three doors up. Once everyone gets the idea that everyone wants the same thing, it's easier for them to come together."

Members of the group, named the Stokesay Neighbourhood Association, contacted social services, the police, local councillors and landlords to demand action.

The estate has now been landscaped, by-laws have been introduced to limit or prohibit skateboarders using the streets, and antisocial behaviour orders have been served on a number of youths.

The group meets once a month and every eight weeks Steve goes on a walkabout with a district council housing officer to identify problems.

At the presentation ceremony, council chairman Mike Shand told Steve: "There are many communities and thousands of people who find it more convenient to turn a blind eye. When you have got someone to take a stand and become the core of such a group, you deserve all the credit due to you."

Steve was also praised by the Western Challenge Housing Association, which owns properties at Netley View. Mike Collis, the association's development manager, said: "He's an inspiration to others on the estate."

Steve, who cannot work because of kidney problems, was given £1,000 to spend on community projects as part of the award.

The first was held on Saturday, when about 50 children from the estate attended a Christmas party at St Anne's Hall, Cedar Road.

"There's lots to be done," said Steve. "If the cheque that came was for £10,000 I could still spend it and not achieve everything we want."