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 have been rewarded with a trip to the Camelot theme park.

After the introduction of the junior scheme, calls to wardens over juvenile nuisance have dropped by 300, from 485 to 185.

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

"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.

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

Last month it was revealed the neighbourhood wardens, who work in the four most deprived wards, were under threat unless more funds could be found.

Hyndburn Council, in talks with the Community Safety Partnership, agreed to put £50,000 towards the £160,000 needed to retain the service in 2005/06.

A letter has been sent to all the organisations involved in the partnership asking them to find the remaining £110,000.

MP Greg Pope has also got involved in the fight to save the wardens. He has started a petition and is planning to go out on patrol with them to highlight the importance of the work they do in the community.

In the meantime work with the junior wardens continues and a number of clean-ups and litter picks have already 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 353710.