EVERYBODY needs good neighbours – and residents in Allenton have exactly that in Jackie Blaney.

The 63-year-old played an integral role in a successful campaign backed by the Derby Telegraph to get a £110,000 sewer repair bill reversed.

And she has spent months fighting for improvements to be made to nearby Brindley Court – dubbed the "crack flats" by residents.

Her work in helping her long-suffering neighbours has led her to being nominated for a Derby Telegraph Community Champion award.

She said: "I'm stunned. I just help where I can.

"I'm not Batman or Robin, I can't right wrongs. But if I see an injustice I want to do something about it."

Jackie, of Wilkins Drive, was one of several homeowners in Allenton who were told they would have to foot an estimated £110,000 bill to repair sewers beneath their homes.

It was due to an administrative error more than 30 years ago which meant they were legally responsible.

But after a three-year campaign by residents, backed by the Telegraph, calling for the charges to be dropped, residents of Wilkins Drive, Johnson Avenue, Slaney Close, Bemrose Road and Brindley Court finally received a letter from Derby City Council confirming they would not have to pay.

Jackie said: "I have people to turn to when I need help, so that's what I try to be for those who don't have someone else."

Jackie also led a fight to force Brindley Court's landlords and owners to take responsibility for the people living there because they were blighting neighbours' lives.

She encouraged other residents to log details of incidents and set up meetings about the issue. The installation of a CCTV camera led to a drop in anti-social behaviour.

And more recently, Jackie gave blankets to tenants who could not afford to keep their flats warm during one of the coldest winters on record.

She is also fighting to get their landlords to improve their living conditions.

Jackie was nominated by local councillor Alan Graves.

He said: "Jackie is a local community champion, whether she wins the award or not.

"She always gets involved with local issues, without reward, except the knowledge of bettering the area she lives in.

"Many people in the area go to her when they have a problem and she won't stop until something is done."

The Derby Telegraph has teamed up with BBC Radio Derby, Derbyshire Building Society, Derby City Council and Derby County Football Club to give the awards.

On Sunday, May 16, the 14 winners will be invited to a ceremony at Pride Park Stadium.

Nomination forms can be found at www.thisisderbyshire. co.uk/champions or www.bbc. co.uk/derby.

They are also in some copies of the Derby Telegraph, or they can be collected from BBC Radio Derby and the Derbyshire Building Society.

Send them to Caroline Jones, Community Champions, Derby Telegraph, Northcliffe House, Meadow Road, Derby DE1 2BH by Friday, April 2.