HYNDBURN'S neighbourhood wardens have cut juvenile nuisance by recruiting more than 100 young people as junior helpers.

Over the past year, the borough's 12 wardens - now under threat due to a funding crisis - have worked with youngsters to identify "grot spots" to clean up.

And they were rewarded for their hard work with a trip to the Camelot theme park.

Thanks to the junior scheme, the number of calls to wardens reporting juvenile nuisance in the last year dropped by 300, from 485 to 185.

Tom Parsons, chairman of the Neighbourhood Wardens Advisory Committee, said: "This is an amazing reduction and proof that intervention work done by the team has worked effectively.

"This is just one of the many aspects of the wardens' services to the community. It shows the closer link they have with the community that other organisations just don't have.

"This service is second to none and should be continued by whatever means possible."

Last month it was revealed the warden scheme, who work in the four most deprived wards, were in danger of being scrapped unless more cash could be found to fund it.

At a crisis meeting between Hyndburn Council and the Community Safety Partnership the authority agreed to put £50,000 towards the £160,000 needed to retain the service in 2005/06.

A letter has been sent to all partnership members urging them to step in and held find the extra £110,000. And MP Greg Pope has also got involved in the fight and has started a petition. He also plans to go on patrol with them to highlight the importance of the work they do.

In the meantime, work with the junior wardens continues and a number of clean-ups and litter picks have been arranged for next year.

The wardens would also welcome suggestions from residents of areas they would like to see cleaned up. They can be contacted on 01254 353710.