COMMUNITY wardens across the North West have proved their worth since they were introduced five years ago.

Their presence on the streets of towns and housing estates has helped to deter yobs, cut down anti-social behaviour and reassure local residents.

They also deal with litter, dog fouling and other problems which bring so much annoyance to many people's lives.

Of course they are no substitute for police when it comes to combatting crime but they support uniformed officers and free them up to tackle more pressing problems.

But, as a conference heard yesterday, although the warden concept has worked, the flow of cash to fund it just hasn't.

As a result, wardens constantly fear for their futures. In Hyndburn, for example, six of the 12 posts have no cash this year and government funding for the service runs out completely next year.

The government says its cash was only intended as a starter fund and it was up to local people to find the funding to carry on. That may be true but local authorities argue that their finances from the government are tight and revenue-raising through council tax is capped by the same government if spending limits are exceeded.

Many people will not forgive or forget if we are allowed to lose a useful public service because of political squabbling.