A SQUAD of wardens are to patrol the streets of Bolton in a bid to help combat crime and disorder.

Council chiefs were today celebrating after being awarded a huge cash windfall to fund the pioneering scheme which will run in Great Lever, Hulton Lane and Deane.

Bolton will get a lion's share of the £7.5 million Government cash boost -- just 11 schemes in the North-west gaining the cash.

A total of 12 wardens will be hitting the streets this winter.

Council bosses stress that they will not be "vigilantes" and will not have the power to arrest anyone.

The wardens, who will wear a special uniform and will be recruited over the next month, will mainly deal with passing on complaints to police.

They will also undergo a full training programme, authorised by police, to instruct them on their code of conduct.

The Government has awarded £343,000 with an added £100,000 from Bolton Council.

The number of householders who will benefit from the scheme is more than 8,000.

Regeneration minister Hilary Armstrong said: "Neighbourhood wardens will give people living in these communities someone they know they can go to with their complaints, concerns or even suggestions for what they think their area needs.

"I am confident neighbourhood wardens will go some way to tackling deprivation and anti-social behaviour at a grass roots level and will help provide the better, safer environments that are so important to creating strong neighbourhoods.

"This will play an important role in the Government's drive to improve the quality of life around the country."

Home Office Minister Charles Clarke also welcomed the scheme.

"Neighbourhood warden schemes can make a real difference to the quality of life in our communities, playing a key part in tackling crime and the fear of crime.

"The awards announced today demonstrate a range of imaginative approaches to improving safety and security.

"Dealing effectively with crime and disorder requires partnership between all sections of the community and wardens are an excellent example of this joint working in practice.

"Neighbourhood wardens are not a substitute for police officers, they are a valuable complement to them.

"They can improve communication between the police, residents and the local authroity and mediate in minor incidents or anti-social behaviour."

Cllr Noel Spencer, Cabinet member for Housing at Bolton Council, said: "We expect the project to make a significant difference to local residents' sense of well being and quality of life."