A group which aims to improve relations between students and communities in Bath has distributed thousands of advice leaflets to those returning to university.

The 12,000 Everybody Needs Good Neighbours booklets are just one method used by the Bath Student Community Partnership to help build bridges between young people and residents.

The move comes as student leaders come up with ways of encouraging new students to drink responsibly.

Chairman of the partnership and leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council Cllr Francine Haeberling said: "I think that it is absolutely essential that students are an integrated part of the community.

"The partnership wants to build up mutual respect between the two groups because students are a very, very important part of the economy of Bath.

"Often people don't realise how important they are to the economy and only see the down side and the problems.

"Since we have been running, the community is beginning to see that the students contribute and do help out. They want to be part of it and want to be respected.

"Enhancing relations between both town and gown communities is an important part of the council's vision priority to build communities where people feel safe and secure."

The booklet, which contains advice about keeping noise levels down, looking after gardens, waste and recycling, and personal safety, has received the support of community groups.

Vicar of St Philip and St James's church in Odd Down and chair of that area's Partners and Communities Together meeting the Rev Alan Bain said: "This leaflet can only be a good thing. It's full of down-to-earth simple things students can do to make sure neighbours are happy.

"I think the city of Bath is especially fortunate to have so many young students and I hope residents will also welcome students and make them feel at home in their communities."

Meanwhile, the student unions at both the University of Bath and Bath Spa University are not promoting drinking events during freshers' week.

President of Bath Spa student union Joey Cozens-Smith said: "We are trying to improve community awareness and feel that by cutting down on the student drinking culture will help that.

"We are also holding the majority of events on campus, rather than in town and are not promoting any drinking events.

"We will be providing students with alternatives to alcohol, such as virgin cocktails and smoothies."

Both universities are offering alternative activities that do not exclusively involve drinking such as karaoke and comedy nights, paintballing and shopping trips.

President of the University of Bath's student union Alex Nicholson-Evans said: "We just want to make events available that have all sorts of focuses, so that there is something for everyone.

"This communication between the students and people living in Bath is really important and something which we are keen to promote from the very beginning.

"We are working together so the community can hear about the good work we have been doing. The more we can do to promote this positive work, the better."

For more information about the partnership visit www.townandgown.org.uk.