A no-go playground used by city drug dealers and drunks is to be given a new lease of life after a four-year campaign by neighbours.

The rundown play area in Providence Place, Brighton, has been overrun by drug dealers but Brighton and Hove City Council, which owns the plot, is now taking steps to clamp down on the trouble-makers and return the park to the residents.

The first step is a sand sculpture event on Friday. While children are playing in a huge sandpit, their parents will be quizzed about their ideas for the spot's future.

Cathy Back, chair of the local residents' association said: "There are lots of children living here but nowhere for them to play safely.

"In the play area you regularly see people having sex on the benches, drunks collapsed and out of their minds, abusive people, people selling drugs to the children and needles strewn everywhere. It is a constant thing.

"For years we have been told to send our children to play at The Level, which is round the corner, but this is also rife with drug takers and drunkards. We just want somewhere our children can play in safety."

Cathy started campaigning after a man tried to abduct her daughter Katrina, who was nine at the time.

Katrina, 13, braved the terrors of a court appearance to give evidence against the man responsible.

It was the key to securing his conviction. She was presented with an Argus Achiever Award for her bravery.

Cathy said: "After what happened with Katrina we went through a phase where we did not let the kids out, but you can't continue like that. It is not fair on them.

"I'm hoping Friday will get everyone, all the parents, to work together and get some ideas on the best way forward."

The city council and the Chichester Diocesan Housing Association (CDHA) have commissioned artist Paul Harrington to help come up with a new look for the area.

He said: "It's a really disgusting corner at the moment. People use the area for drinking, taking and dealing drugs. It's not a good place for children.

"The idea of the event is to try and get people who live in the area to see the space in a different way. A way of setting up an informal chat. People of all ages can turn up and build anything they like out of the sand. There will be small prizes for the best.

"One of the things we are hoping to do is change the way the area is perceived. The more people use the space the less the undesirables will be tempted to go there."

Gabrielle Sanders, Community Involvement Co-ordinator for CDHA who own the surrounding houses, said: "I'm really pleased that something is finally being done. Our primary concern is to help the residents.

"Friday will be about reclaiming the land for positive, ordinary use."

A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: "We're delighted to be working with the CDHA to improve that small area which we hope will bring about a big improvement to the tenants."

A huge sandpit is being set up for the event, from 3.30pm and 6.30pm.