TAXI ranks in north Durham are to be marshalled by security guards to crack down on late-night drink-fuelled violence.

Four security guards are to work at trouble spots in Consett and Stanley between 11.30am and 3.30am on Friday and Saturdays.

Cab stands and takeaways are notorious flash points for trouble when people leave the towns' pubs and clubs.

Derwentside District Council has secured £1,200 in funding to pilot a scheme to have Security Industry Authority approved staff in place to identify potential disorder.

They will have the same training as door staff and be in radio contact with police.

The taxi marshals will wear easily-identifiable, fluorescent yellow jackets so people know who they are.

They will try to keep order in the often rowdy, and sometimes dangerous, environment created as drinkers make their way home.

Council leader Councillor Alex Watson said: "Problems occur when you get people arguing about whose turn it is to go next.

"Marshals will not be there to break up fights but deal with situations as peacefully as possible, without incitement."

If there is trouble, the police will be called immediately and those involved are likely to locked up for the night.

The morning after, they could be issued with an £80 fixed-penalty notice for being drunk and disorderly, or may be charged with a crime if the offence is more serious.

Inspector Ian Proud, of Stanley Police, said: "We are aware of trouble fairly quickly because we have CCTV cameras trained on known flash points. But when people come out of a club and have been drinking heavily, they are not always aware of the eye in the sky.

"These extra people may act as a preventative measure to stop trouble happening before it starts. We welcome anything that will stop violence on the streets."

Introducing taxi marshalling into Derwentside was the idea of the council's licensing policy and development worker Sandra Wood, who is meeting Sergeant Tim Robson, of the licensing and substance misuse unit, today to discuss the scheme in more detail.