The first community warden for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council started work yesterday.

The council plans a one-month trial in the Eston area, ahead of what it hopes will be aproval for government funding to become one of a series of nationwide pilots.

Initially, the job will involve daytime foot patrols, covering a wide range of duties including enforcement of on-the-spot fines for litter and dog fouling, an inspection role for council buildings, including schools, and a look-out for anti-social behaviour.

The warden, based in Eston, will be in regular telephone and radio contact with the council and also have a link with the police.

The answer to the council's £680,000 bid to the Home Office, made in partnership with Cleveland Police, should be known by the end of this month and provide part-funding for a three-year £1.36m project.

If the bid is successful, there would be two pilot areas, rural Brotton and the urban communities of Eston, Whale Hill, Normanby and Teesville, coming into operation by January 1.

The aim of the trial is to monitor the warden's work and decide if any changes need to be made before the pilot proper begins.