THREE new community wardens are set to take to the streets in the areas hit by last year's riots thanks to £500,000 of European cash.

The community warden service, which began a year ago, already employs 12 wardens in other areas of the town. The new wardens will start work early next year.

The expansion of the service will see the new wardens move into the Stoneyholme, Daneshouse and Duke Bar areas thanks to the £534,000 EU Regional Development Fund Urban II grant won by the council - the first of its kind in the north west.

Coun Charles Bullas, Burnley's executive member for community safety, said: "This money means the existing wardens can continue in their role until at least 2006-07 and gives us cash to appoint a further three wardens.

"The extra numbers will allow the service to expand into areas where it will have a real impact. The wardens' patrol and project work has been able to make a significant difference in areas such as Burnley Wood and Piccadilly and I know the residents of Daneshouse, Stoneyholme and Duke Bar are looking forward to seeing similar benefits."

Coun Rafique Malik added: "The wardens link up with a wide range of other organisations and community groups to help deal with problems from anti-social behaviour to environmental issues. The expansion of the scheme will promote good community relations across many different neighbourhoods."