IDEAS to help people feel safer on Darlington's streets are being considered.

The package, thought to be the first of its kind in the country, is intended to increase the visibility of police and uniformed council wardens in the town over the next five years.

It is the product of a joint study of street safety carried out over nine months by police and Darlington Borough Council.

The study makes more than 60 recommendations, many aimed at high-profile policing to tackle crime and disorder and reassure the public.

Recommendations, to be considered by the council's cabinet next week include increasing the number of the uniformed wardens to 25.

The scope for traffic wardens will also be increased, a network of police boxes established and a string of community access points set up to give people walk-in contact with police.

The police boxes, a 21st Century version of old-style police boxes,will cost between £14,000 and £20,000 each.