A SCHEME to bring wardens into all Redcar and Cleveland communities took a step forward on Monday.

The community safety warden scheme is designed to tackle environmental damage and anti-social behaviour.

The scheme was piloted in Brotton, Teesville and Normanby last year and proved so successful that Redcar and Cleveland Council has vowed to have wardens in all communities across the borough by Easter next year.

Wardens began patrols in Dormanstown and Kirkleatham on Monday and in Loftus on Tuesday.

Coun Dave McLuckie, lead member for community safety, said: "This borough has invested in community safety more than any other borough in the country - and we've done it all with our own cash.

"The feedback from areas already served by the wardens show the public really values this service, which has made significant inroads into making those communities a cleaner and safer place for local residents.