Stormont Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has lauded regeneration work taking place at Lissize in Rathfriland.

Minister Ritchie highlighted that commitment by local residents to a common goal, harnessed with good community relations, can make a real difference to their lives.

During her visit to Lissize Ms Ritchie said: "It is so heartening to visit a community like Lissize that has achieved so much for its residents through its commitment to a common goal of improving the local environment and promoting good community relations.

"Building a Shared Future in Northern Ireland is a central theme of my New Housing Agenda and I am reassured by my visit to Lissize that the vision can become a reality.

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"I commend Lissize Community Association (LCA) for its leadership and proactive approach in representing the interests of all the people in Lissize.

"The direction given by LCA and its partnership with other statutory agencies has reaped tangible benefits for all the residents of the estate. One only has to look at the state of the art secure play area, football pitch and community garden for evidence of that."

Paying tribute to the residents the Minister said: "I applaud the residents of Lissize for their commitment to improving their local environment and for their whole-hearted support for the many positive changes that have been realised within their community.

"Lissize is proof of how community-led improvements with the right level of support from the voluntary and statutory agencies can achieve substantial improvements on the ground. It can be a model for many other neighbourhoods."

Maxie Beale, Chairperson of Lissize Community Association, said: "We welcome Minister Ritchie and are pleased to show her the work that has been done here. In the past five years we have achieved a lot and are proud of our estate.

"We set out to provide something for all the people in Lissize Park and today the play park is the focal point for our children and the community garden is enjoyed by older residents."

(PR)