THE STORY of how an estate in Workington has been rejuvenated could become the blueprint for other struggling areas.

Filming started this week on a video explaining how Salterbeck turned itself around and became a place where people are eager to live.

The filming is being done by students and graduates from the business response unit at the Cumbria Institute of the Arts, Carlisle.

Due to be completed by the end of September, the video is expected to be available to tenants’ and residents’ groups to show how Salterbeck’s dreams became a reality.

Lillian Baldry, former Allerdale mayor and chairman of Salterbeck Residents’ Association, is featured in the film.

She is also a key link with Impact Housing, the estate’s social landlord, and Salterbeck ACE (Alliance of Community Enterprise) – a community organisation set up to run the Oval Centre.

Mrs Baldry said: “The video will really tell Salterbeck’s story.

“We hope that by showing people how we’ve done it it will help others in the county.”

The film includes interviews with Bill Reville of the residents’ group, musician Stan Watson, Christine Harrison from Salterbeck ACE and Maureen Dolan from the local history group.

Stories featured will include the current project to clean up a reservoir – a hidden beauty spot used by a family of swans – and the building of the Oval Centre.

The £1.25 million centre, recognised as a catalyst for change on the estate, was built five years ago using European money earmarked for deprived areas.

Cash also came from the Charities Lottery board, sports lottery fund and the Single Regeneration Budget.

Managing body Salterbeck ACE is a non-profit making company formed by residents and run by a committee.

The Oval has now become a popular meeting and conference facility which boasts two large meeting rooms, a bar, a coffee lounge, cafeteria, gym, housing offices and the office of the West Cumbria Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.

Allerdale Council and the West Cumbria Primary Care Trust regularly hold board meetings there.