LOCAL children are putting their own artistic slant on a regeneration project in South Acton.

Youngsters from Berrymede Junior School have created a 200ft long mural to decorate the fence around the site of the new homes being built as part of Keystart Housing Association's redevelopment of the South Acton Estate.

Helped by two local artists, the children's paintings of scenes from around the estate were scanned and digitally manipulated before being printed as a mural.

The mural will surround the 22 new homes, unveiled by Keystart Housing Association and the London Borough of Ealing, for sale on a part-buy part-rent basis as part of a major redevelopment of the South Acton Estate.

The South Acton Estate is the largest housing estate in west London with more than 2,000 homes and 5,000 residents.

The London Borough of Ealing and the estate's residents, in partnership with Keystart Housing Association, are working together to create a new South Acton and to help revitalise this area of London.

Keystart Housing Association will be building the homes a mixture of apartments and houses across four sites on the South Acton Estate.

The shared ownership properties will be released in four stages with priority given to households identified by Ealing Council.

A spokesman for Keystart told the Times: "Initially the properties will be offered to residents in the areas of the estate where the regeneration is taking place.

"The aim has been to involve as many local people as possible in the process, raising awareness and encouraging an input into the decision making."

Phase one is Castle Close, which will comprise six, one and two bedroom apartments which range in price from £145,000 to £165,000.

Phase two will be Brouncker Road, comprising five, two and three bedroom houses which range in price from £240,000 to £275,000; phase three will be Appleby Court, comprising eight, one and two bedroom apartments which range in price from £145,000 to £165,000 and finally phase four, Hope Gardens, which comprises three, two bedroom houses at £225,000.

All properties are being sold on the basis of a minimum 25 per cent share, from £36,250 depending on the property chosen, plus rent and service charge, and will be available throughout January and early February 2004.

Keystart Housing Association is part of Catalyst Housing Group, one of the largest providers of social housing in London and the South East, with more than 15,000 homes in management and development.

It is a not-for-profit organisation committed to providing affordable homes for those who cannot compete in the open market.

The group also includes Ealing Family Housing Association, Kensington Housing Trust, Fortunegate Community Housing and the Southall Day Centre.

For more information contact Keystart Housing Association on 0808 100 2864