Winner decided as Leeds street nominated for Britain's friendliest

Eden Crescent, in Kirkstall, made the final shortlist of 10 in the competition to find Britain's friendliest street.

The competition was run by Posters for the People, a project run by arts collaboration ‘In Good Company’.

Pemberton Road in Wigan, Lancshire, topped a shortlist of 10 streets across the country with a whopping 33 per cent of the votes.

Residents were praised for their help in supporting each other and keeping spirits up during lockdown.

It pipped Eden Crescent and Cedar Avenue in Twickenham, South East London, to the title.

Eden Crescent was nominated for the competition after a WhatsApp group for the households, dubbed 'Eden Cresidents', topped more than a hundred members.

Grace Hills started the group a few years ago when she moved to the street but it had just a handful of members until coronavirus lockdown kicked in.

Residents held an Easter bear hunt featuring 105 teddies, children made get well cards for a neighbour in hospital and there have been bird-watching sessions, toy and book swaps and gardening projects.

Despite not winning the top spot, Grace said she was proud of the street for their efforts and for representing Leeds in the competition.

She said: "We feel really proud. We pushed so hard and everyone was so on board, we had people sharing it all over the world!

“It’s something that everyone could get involved with and be proud to share.

“We didn’t know each other before lockdown and it’s really brought the community together.

“I’ve been sowing the seeds over the last few years with different projects, but lockdown has brought everyone together super quickly.

“That community spirit has been boosted by this and that’s been one positive from it all.”

Laura Wellington, founder of In Good Company, said of the campaign: “We have seen so many acts of generosity and compassion over the last two months, especially in local communities.

"We wanted to give people a chance to show off their local area and nominate a street where the residents really care for one another."

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