A scheme aimed at ridding a town centre of trouble from late-night revellers is being piloted.

The safety initiative will see a team of marshals stewarding the main taxi rank in Bishop Auckland every Friday and Saturday and Bank Holiday over the festive period.

Four door attendants from pubs and clubs will stay on duty for an extra hour after closing time to man the Market Place rank.

The marshals, who wear fluorescent jackets, will ensure that passengers queue in an orderly fashion and are not aggressive towards each other or to cabbies.

An extra bin is also being installed by Wear Valley District Council to encourage people to responsibly dispose of unwanted food if asked not to carry it in a taxi.

Wear and Tees Community Safety Partnership secured about £700 to pay the extra wages of the door staff, who are all trained and registered with the Security Industries Association.

Local taxi firms have co-operated with organisers on the scheme.

Tom Carver, head of public protection at Wear Valley District Council which is co-ordinating the scheme, said: "We hope this will complement the work of the police and benefit visitors, residents and businesses in the town centre."

The marshals will work closely with the regular police teams.

Town centre beat officer PC Michael Hynes said: "In the past if there has been any trouble in the town from drinkers it would often start at the taxi rank."