SIX new street wardens will soon be helping to stamp out neighbourhood nuisances in east Durham villages, thanks to a £241,000 government grant.

Under its Crime Reduction Programme, the Home Office has awarded the money following a joint request from Easington District Council and the Home Housing group.

The money will pay for half a dozen street wardens to keep an eye on villages in the west of the district.

It is hoped that the wardens will become "friendly faces" in the communities and help improve living conditions.

Their responsibilities will include liaising with councils and police on vandalism, abandoned cars and litter.

The wardens, who will begin patrolling in the spring, will tailor their work to meet the needs of the local community and their role is likely to vary from place to place.

They will be expected to improve the physical appearance of streets and open spaces, deter anti-social behaviour, reduce low-level crime and the fear of crime and encourage communities to work together to improve their environments.

The council's cabinet member for regeneration, Councillor Rob Crute, said: "The council and Home Housing welcomes this tremendous award. It will allow us to take on six wardens in the west of the district to help people feel safer in their homes and happier in their neighbourhoods."

The wardens, he said, would provide a point of contact for all those agencies who can help make the area a better place to live