It used to be known as "Little Beirut".

Boarded-up empty houses and widespread vandalism and graffiti told their own story.

But now Woodcock Street in west Hull is being reborn as the city's latest desirable place to live.

The first residents are about to move into a new £12 million housing development aimed at turning the street's old image on its head.

They include a couple moving from the city's Victoria Dock area.

Ben Chatfield and his partner Ria Murphy are buying a four-bedroom house in the St Andrew's Square scheme.

It is the first major new housing development in the wider £400 million regeneration initiative in the Newington and St Andrews areas of west Hull.

The couple, who have two children, are both from west Hull and say returning to their roots was an important factor in their decision.

Mr Chatfield said: "Victoria Dock is nice, but we wanted our own home and for the price we're paying here we couldn't really say no.

"We think it's going to be a good place to bring up the children."

The £112,000 price tag for their new home is part of a deliberate attempt to make the 106 new homes coming on to the market over the next few months as affordable as possible. Similar-sized new homes in Brough currently cost about £200,000.

Ria's sister Kara Fox is making it a family affair by moving into another one of the new homes with her partner Stuart Bird.

She said: "Woodcock Street used to have a bad name, but not anymore."

Unthinkable only a few years ago, a newly-opened show home in the street now gives a glimpse of what is on offer.

Twenty of the first 39 homes will be available to rent, the rest are being sold privately.

The street's first new residents will be Paul and Joan Scaum, who are moving into a three-bedroom rented house this week.

They have lived in nearby Cecil Street for 26 years, but with that property facing demolition, they opted to stay in the area.

Mr Scaum said: "We cannot wait to move in. We keep going and having a look at the progress on site and have shown our friends and family the plans for our house.

"We have had some great neighbours in Cecil Street and are delighted some of them are moving to St Andrew's Square, so our little community will still be together."

The Gateway partnership is responsible for the massive regeneration work going on in the Newington and St Andrews area, with the private housing schemes being developed by Keepmoat Homes.

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