A TEAM of uniformed street wardens covering parts of south Durham is the first to win an award for giving sound legal advice.

The Street Wardens Scheme was launched by Wear Valley District Council in November last year to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime in some of the district's problem areas.

The team, which includes six wardens and a co-ordinator, was initially appointed to clean up Woodhouse Close, St Helen Auckland and Coundon and Leeholme.

As the wardens have gained the respect of residents and developed a close working relationship with local police, their role has expanded and many residents now seek their advice on legal matters.

It is this additional role that has landed the scheme a quality mark award from the Legal Service Commission.

Scheme manager Roger Ward said: "We are delighted to receive this award and it shows that we are making good progress.

"A lot of people find it easier to ask our advice than they do visiting a solicitor or the police, so we do out best to help them or at least point them in the right direction."

The award is for helping people with a host of legal queries, from how to report blocked gullies or damaged street lights to seeking help with drug abuse or benefit claims.

Les Courtnell, regional director of the legal services commission, presented the award to Mr Ward at the scheme's base in the neighbourhood housing office inProudfoot Drive, Woodhouse Close, yesterday.

He said: "This is the first warden scheme in the country to gain this award.

"The advantage of the wardens giving quality advice is that they are on the streets and part of the communities that seek their help. People often need some simple advice about their rights and where to turn for help."

Wear Valley District Council chairwoman Councillor Margaret Douthwaite said: "It is a wonderful achievement. The scheme deserves praise because the work they do is really starting to show improvements in the areas they cover."