UNIFORMED wardens are taking to the streets in Wear Valley as part of a pilot scheme to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime.

Five wardens have been taken on to help clean up the areas of St Helen Auckland, Woodhouse Close Estate, Bishop Auckland, Coundon and Leeholme.

The project will be launched officially by former Newcastle United and England hero Peter Beardsley in Proudfoot Drive, Bishop Auckland, next Wednesday.

Its aim is to respond to complaints by residents about anti-social behaviour, vandalism and 'low level' crime.

Among the wardens' responsibilities will be patrolling, checking vacant properties, targeting hotspot areas, attending meetings, taking part in community development projects, environment improvement projects and crime reduction initiatives.

Manger of the scheme Roger Ward said the wardens were ready to face the challenge ahead of them and have already set the wheels in motion for a major clean-up in the area.

He said: "We are not policemen. We are here to try to make people proud of the areas where they live by removing graffiti, clearing litter, reporting street lighting that needs fixing and reducing anti-social behaviour.''

One of the first tasks will be cutting overgrown shrubs and hedges in the area where people are often frightened to walk, for fear of someone jumping out on them or pulling them in.

People living in the targeted areas will be given leaflets on what the role of the wardens is and how and where to contact them in the coming weeks.

Funding has been provided by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and the scheme is backed by several organisations including Wear Valley District Council and Bishop Auckland Police.

The money provides for a street warden manager and five wardens for two years but the task is so vast it is felt there is a need for a sixth warden.

Mr Ward, who is based at the Proudfoot Drive housing centre in Woodhouse Close, said: "We are appealing to local businesses to help fund another warden. What we want is for people to be able to come up to us and ask for our help."