A housing scheme in Barton Hill has been recognised for its work to sustain diversity.

The scheme in Barrow Road, has already won the 'Best Affordable Housing Scheme' at the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) awards held in June and has now been short-listed in the sustaining diversity category.

The scheme, run by housing association Sovereign South and West, has now been put through to the national LABC Building Excellence Awards which will be held in October.

The association has been working with residents in Barton Hill since 2003 to provide improved homes and a safer and more sustainable community for local residents.

It has also actively worked with Community at Heart, Bristol City Council, Solon SW Housing Association and local businesses to deliver other initiatives within this programme, under headings such as employment and business, community safety and tackling Racism.

Chris Irons, spokesman for Sovereign South and West, said: "To date we have delivered five developments and 75 homes have been made available under general needs rent, intermediate rent and part buy, part rent.

"There are a further four developments to be completed in the next two years, which will result in 76 more homes becoming available during this period."

Terry Black, neighbourhood investment co-ordinator for the association added: "The second phase of the developments are going really well. All the homes for Barrow Road have now been filled and a percentage have gone to people from the local community.

"People are really pleased with the quality of the housing they are moving into, Sovereign has also supported the local community every step of the way by providing training and employment opportunities in the local area."