A project to crack down on graffiti in the city centre is having success in other parts of Norwich, it has emerged.

The Norwich Evening News last year launched its Graffitibusters campaign, supported by Norwich police along with Norwich City Council, the Central Norwich Citizens' Forum and the Norwich City Centre Partnership, to rid the city of illegal tags.

The project, which attracted dozens of volunteers, armed with brushes, to attend paint-out sessions, begun after graffiti was made a priority by the former City Centre Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT).

Julian Foster, chairman of the city centre Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel (SNAP) spearheaded the initiative until his death in December following a short battle with cancer. Prior to his death Mr Foster urged other parts of the city to help tackle the problem in their areas by organising paint-outs and using resources donated by firms to the city centre scheme.

The Norwich North SNT is one of the areas to have set about tackling graffiti following concerns raised by people living there and is now celebrating the success of work carried out so far.

Chloe Smith, Norwich North MP, helped start a paint-out scheme which focused on the Silver Road, St Clements Hill and Sprowston Road areas where 64 sites were identified.

Based on a 'hot spot' analysis of graffiti displayed last year compared with the same time this year, police have seen a reduction in the problem. Ms Smith said: 'Julian was a greatly respected man who loved Norwich and did a lot for it. He did a lot of work in the city centre along with the police.

'In my view there was always a need to extend the work north and I'm very pleased that the police, council and other partners have been able to carry on the work in the north.'

Inspector Gary Brotherhood, from the Norwich North team, said: 'The project has and continues to be extremely successful in removing offensive graffiti from areas across the neighbourhood and improving its appearance.'

Call 0344 980 3333 to report graffiti.