MORE than 40 years ago, it was pretty tough for a young family to get a roof over their heads. Pretty much like today.

So when, in 1965, work started to turn a big area of Poole farmland into a housing estate, people were excited. Many of them watched as the homes they would live in took shape at Turlin Moor.

I lived on Turlin Moor for a while, a few years after that. But since I was pretty young, my memories are a little hazy. Mainly I remember the walk to the shopping parade where I might get a Matchbox car once a week, and the comforting sound of the trains passing by not far from my bedroom in South Haven Close.

Like many housing estates with pretty words like "moor", "farm" and "mill" in its name, Turlin Moor has not had an entirely happy history since then.

Five years ago, it was blighted by antisocial behaviour, vandalised cars and graffiti. At a time of housing shortage, it even had homes standing emppty.

But it seems things have changed.

An independent report says life on the estate has been transformed. Asbos and criminal prosecutions have helped deal with the minority whose antics can spoil life for everyone else. The local school ranks among the best in the borough if you look at its "value added" scores. And with things going so well, many residents would like their community hall back.

Much of this reflects well on Poole Housing Partnership, the landlord for the borough's council housing, whose work has been rated "excellent".

I don't know how well that report chimes with people's everyday experience on the estate. But I do know that it's a pleasure to report good news from Turlin Moor.