WAINFELIN Avenue in Pontypool is the kind of street where neighbours tend to look out for each other.

In fact they get on so well they even go on holiday together.

Andy Doyle went to meet them.

MIKE Jeremiah has lived on Wainfelin Avenue for 37 years and was born and bred in the area.

And in that time the former ICI worker and union rep has put his heart and soul into community life.

He's served as a community councillor for 16 years and is the coordinator for the local Neighbourhood Watch group.

"We've got a good community spirit here - most people tend to join in and get involved," said the 64-year-old.

"I know just about everybody!" he joked.

"Our Neighbourhood Watch group has managed to get a lottery few grants over the years which have enabled us to go on four day trips and two holidays.

"It really does wonders for team spirit - we've been to Scarborough, Newquay, Weston and Torquay over the years," he said.

And it's not just the trips and holidays.

The street has a whip-round every Christmas for a dinner and hamper for local pensioners, and there's a raffle which pays for a Christmas party for older residents.

"Everyone makes a contribution - the response on the street was marvellous," said Mr Jeremiah.

The life-long Pooler fan and grandfather of six said he and wife Jackie are very happy on the street where they moved shortly after marrying. They celebrate their ruby wedding anniversary this year.

"They used to be four of us on the street who went to every Pontypool away game every week," said Mr Jeremiah.

"I still follow them but I don't get to every game."

Mrs Jeremiah said she never tires of the beautiful view outside her front door.

As you look down the street there's a plumb view of Pontypool Folly in the distance on top of Pontypool Park.

"My only regret is that my garden doesn't face that way," joked Mrs Jeremiah, 62.

Her philosophy on good neighbours is simple: "We're not in and out of each other's houses all the time - but if you need us we're there.

"I always say to people 'don't just sit there if you need us, ring the bell'."

And neighbours Shirley Almond, 71 and her mother Kathleen Vincent can back that up.

Just before Christmas Mrs Vincent, 93, collapsed in Pontypool town centre after suffering two mini strokes.

Mr Jeremiah was on hand to help ferry her to and from the hospital over the coming weeks and Mrs Jeremiah regularly popped in to see if all was well.

"They've been fantastic - the street generally is like that, people are just ready to help," said Mrs Almond.

"Right from day one everyone has been so friendly."

Mother and daughter are considered relative newcomers. They share their home with rescued veteran Irish racing greyhound Amber.

"We've been here 16 years- we came back here because my mother grew up in this area," said mother-of-one Mrs Almond.

The pair moved down from west Wales, where they had lived for 26 years.

"We chose Wainfelin because I grew up in Pontnewynydd, " said Mrs Vincent who left the valleys to work in service in London and didn't come back to Wales until she was a pensioner.

"I always wanted to come back - there's a special spirit to Pontypool. It's certainly not the town it was but that friendliness is still there," said Mrs Vincent.

The pair have been on most of the street's trips away and say it helps with community spirit.

"It's so good I can barely get to the bus stop without half a dozen people saying hello and asking how mum is!" said Mrs Almond.