COMMUNITY patrols are to be drafted on to the streets of Brotton.

Anxious residents got the good news at a public meeting called to hammer out the problem of anti-social behaviour in the village.

The Methodist church hall was packed as more than 100 residents turned up to register their concern at the spiralling problem.

One man claimed Brotton was "the tail end of a snake getting the debris other communities don't want."

There was general agreement that a united approach was needed to get the village back on track.

The new wardens will start work in Brotton later this month as a scheme being piloted in Eston expands.

To maintain the impetus of Tuesday's meeting, another session will be arranged so residents can meet the wardens and formulate a plan of action.

Coun Brian Hogg was delighted at the response to the meeting. "In the end we had a positive tone which sets the scene for the next meeting with the wardens," he said.

"I hope people will come along again so we can form some kind of group to carry this forward."

Mr Mike Hardman, Redcar and Cleveland council's assistant director (direct works), outlined how the warden scheme would operate, adding that the Eston pilot had been very successful.

Two wardens will work 8am to 9pm, he said, but stressed they would not be there to replace the police.

"They won't clean up the streets of all the problems, but they can enforce on various issues such as litter and dog-fouling and provide a vital link with police and the community," he said.

"We will have two wardens working in Brotton before Christmas. One of them has been operating in Eston and so is experienced in the work.

"They will have a high profile on the streets. But don't expect a complete change overnight. That won't happen."

The meeting was called by Coun Hogg and his colleague Coun Richard Rudland in response to residents' fears.

Also present were council leader Coun David Walsh, Coun Dave McLuckie, lead member for community safety, Insp Tom Brown and PC Rachael Dick, the new community officer for Brotton.

l Full report of the meeting, page 5.