BURY is taking advantage of some international know-how as it moves ahead with its plans for the borough's very own "street ambassadors".

The town is to help pioneer a new Community Safety Wardens scheme with a hand-picked team of eight patrolling the town centre and offering advice, assistance and a friendly face whenever required.

Wardens will also help police and other agencies by reporting any trouble they spot.

It's hoped that further patrols will be established in other town centres around the borough following the pilot scheme.

On Tuesday, senior council staff and politicians welcomed the arrival of two acknowledged experts in the field, Peter Oosting and Hans Wolters, from Holland.

They were on a three-day visit to share experiences gained from more than 100 similar schemes in their country. Bury Council leader Councillor Derek Boden said: "This is an excellent scheme and we want to get it just right.

"Some of the funding is coming from Europe and we are making use of our contacts there to obtain as much information as we can.

"We can learn from the experiences of others. After all, it seems daft to re-invent the wheel."

He added: "Having said that, the Bury scheme will be unique to our borough and we want to ensure that it fits our needs and particular circumstances."

The new project, one of just a handful in the country, is being backed by Single Regeneration Budget funding with additional European support.

Wardens will be recruited from Bury's long-term unemployed. As well as keeping a watchful eye on the town centre, they will also help in crime prevention, warning shoppers of wallets and purses within easy reach of thieves and stopping cycling and other banned activities in pedestrian areas.

A recruitment drive will start towards the end of this month, including an open day where interested individuals will be able to find out more details.

Recruits will be trained and start patrols before Christmas.

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