SOUTH Ribble folk could be donning uniforms and becoming "the eyes and ears" of the police if a new initiative goes ahead.

Government funding for 'community warden' jobs -- supporting the police -- could soon be sought by South Ribble council. And one local councillor is backing the idea.

Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Alcock says the jobs will help plug a shortage of local bobbies, and cut down on crime in the borough.

He said: "I receive complaints of harassment and intimidation by youths of shoppers, residents in their own streets, vandalism, smashed glass, drunken youths being obscene.

"I believe that these wardens will go a long way to assisting the residents in their quest to be able to go to the shops in safety, and for residents to be able to go out at night without fear of intimidation by unruly youths."

Salaried, full-time community wardens are already at work supporting the police in West Lancashire towns such as Ormskirk and Burscough, after several weeks' training from the police themselves.

Such posts are funded by money available from central government in response to bids from local councils.

Coun Alcock added local wardens dedicated to one community can provide authority figures who are always available.

He said: "I believe that if we have community wardens who are trained by the police and work hand in hand with the police and live in the local community, they will become the eyes and ears of the police and would be a valuable tool in the policing of the streets of our borough."

Police spokesman, superintendent Mike Barton, said: "Lancashire constabulary is committed to supporting the idea of community wardens. It is an excellent initiative where the Department of the Environement, Transport and Regions (DETR) supports local authorities fo pay for community wardens."

He said the Community Safety Partnership in South Ribble is committed to improving the quality of people's lives, and community wardens played a part in the police response to crime.

And he denied suggestions that community wardens are vigilantes. "Nothing could be further from the truth. These people are trained by the police, supported by the police, and work with the police to deal with pro-actively with unacceptable behaviour.