THE mean streets of Redcar are being cleaned up by a new team of rangers.

The 12 new jobs are part of a pilot scheme to provide additional services as well as street scene cleansing and a polish up, helping Redcar and Cleveland Council's Clean and Green teams.

Funded by the Government's Future Jobs Fund, the Rangers will be working in town centre's streets, back alleys, the seafront and Esplanade.

Councillor Mark Hannon, Redcar and Cleveland Council's cabinet member for economic development said: "We are confident this important programme will benefit all stakeholders in the town, our visitors as well as helping 12 young local people by giving them jobs."

Town Centres Manager Pat Cambage said: "The Rangers will be a real asset. Their arrival is the result of a lot of hard work between the Town Centre Management, Redcar Town Centre Partnership, the Council and Groundwork North East."

The scheme is part of the £8m which has been committed from the Future Jobs Fund to create 1,253 jobs across the Tees Valley over the next year.

These are primarily aimed at young people who have been claiming Jobseekers Allowance for more than 10 months, but other long-term unemployed people may also be eligible depending on where they live.

For more information about Future Jobs Fund vacancies, or to see if they are eligible, people should speak to their Jobcentre Plus adviser.