Street wardens look set to be recruited in a bid to reduce drug problems in a County Durham town.

A proposal has been put forward to enlist two wardens to operate in Ferryhill Station and the Dean Bank area of Ferryhill.

The communities have suffered from drug-related problems for some time and this year has seen a number of high profile police operations and raids in the area.

The project will be supported by Sedgefield Borough Council and Three Rivers housing association, with funding from the Government's Communities Against Drugs initiative.

The aim is to build on the already successful Neighbourhood Warden scheme operating in a deprived area of Newton Aycliffe.

Objectives of the project include reducing drug-related problems and crime in general, improving living conditions, providing a rapid response to local concerns and involving residents in tackling regeneration issues.

The wardens will be recruited and employed by the council and will be based in a property in Dean Bank, provided rent free by Three Rivers.

Further Government funding will be available to operate the scheme from January 2002 until March 2004.

The project has the backing of the police, Sedgefield Borough Community Safety Partnership and the Ferryhill Crime Prevention Partnership.

The posts are expected to be filled by existing officers in the Sedgefield Community Force.