BRAVE Rosy Garnett has been praised by Tony Blair for standing up to a "neighbour from hell".

The Prime Minister paid tribute to the York mother of four during his weekly question time for helping to make her street a better place.

Rosy, from Bramham Road, Chapelfields, was awarded £1,000 yesterday at the Home Office's Taking A Stand awards in London. She courageously gave evidence against her teenage neighbour Nicola Brown following numerous complaints about serious noise nuisance and drug use at the property.

Rosy received her just reward as other York community heroes were feted at the Evening Press Community Pride awards.

Mr Blair said: "I congratulate Rosy Garnett and all those others that have won awards for taking a stand against antisocial behaviour.

"I know that in the City of York new legislation to deal with antisocial behaviour has been well used by police, local authorities and - most importantly - by local people."

Rosy's evidence in the nuisance neighbour case resulting in Brown, 19, a council tenant, being evicted.

She endured two years of antisocial behaviour from her as well as intimidation.

Rosy contacted City of York Council and was asked to keep incident diary sheets by the Tenancy Enforcement Team.

"The constant noise had a devastating effect on our family. We just couldn't get any sleep. We couldn't have managed without the support of the council's team. I wrote everything down for it."

Rosy was nominated for the award by the council's tenancy enforcement manager, Neil McFarlane.

"I was amazed and delighted to win," she said.

"I feel very proud of myself, but don't feel I have done anything anyone else wouldn't do in the same circumstances.''

At a second court hearing the council was granted a possession order and Brown was evicted shortly afterwards. As well as Rosy's evidence, police evidence and help from Safer York Partnership was important in helping the council win this case.

Rosy said: "I was scared of giving evidence in court, but I'm glad I did it.

"I think you have to be quite strong, but your family has to come first. I would tell others to be persistent and not put up with antisocial behaviour."

Last year a total of nine possession orders, like the one Rosy's evidence helped get, were obtained against nuisance tenants in York.

Mr McFarlane said: "It's important that residents know that their evidence can make a real difference, that you don't have to put up with this behaviour.''

Updated: 09:58 Thursday, December 02, 2004