RESIDENTS in Prudhoe are celebrating a victory after a long fight to have some waste land cut back.

Those living on Neale Street, which backs onto the former allotment site north of Front Street and south of Broomhouse Lane, raised concerns last summer when they said dispersing seeds were blanketing their gardens and the overgrown site was becoming an attraction for rats.

The Duke of Northumberland’s property arm, Northumberland Estates, which owns the land, said at the time that cutting back vegetation was generally restricted until September, after the bird nesting season had finished.

But residents raised the issue again last week, saying that nothing had been done since their initial concerns were raised and that they hoped that the land would be cleared in time for summer.

Now residents say Northumberland Estates has been out to clear the area.

“They have had a big tractor along to clear it, and they had a strimmer along the other day cutting around the sides,” said resident Eric Gilholme.

“They have done a good job; let’s just hope they keep it up.”