TRAFFIC wardens could soon be saving lives on the streets of Blackburn and Darwen after being re-trained by council bosses.

And as well as acting as on-street medics, the wardens will also give tourists information on attractions, watch out for anti-social behaviour, and issue fines to litter louts.

Blackburn with Darwen Council believe its team of Town Rangers will be the first in the country to carry out the duties.

Around nine rangers will take to the streets within months, initially paid for by a government grant.

At first they will only be responsible for monitoring parking on car parks.

But their ranks will be boosted to enable them to carry out on-street parking duties when the service is decriminalised in 18 months time.

The posts will then be funded by the fines collected for parking.

The police's Eastern Division, which includes Blackburn and Darwen, currently has 14 traffic wardens, who may transfer to work as rangers.

Most councils are just planning to take over the full traffic warden service from police without adapting it.

But Coun Andy Kay, in charge of regeneration, said: "We believe they can fulfil a much bigger role."

Their other roles in Blackburn and Darwen town centres will also be:

Reducing crime and improving community safety by maintaining a visible presence in the town centres and residential areas by reporting suspicious incidents to the police;

Acting as the eyes and ears of the council by reporting faults to the road, damaged seats, litter, graffiti and fly-posting;

Issuing on-the-spot fines to people caught dropping litter or allowing dogs to foul;

Acting as ambassadors for the town by providing directions and information for activities and events;

Administering first aid;

Asking street traders to move on and identifying possible conflicts or disputes between town centre businesses.

A total of £352,000 has been earmarked from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, a £9.75million pot of cash given to the council by the Government to improve the quality of life in deprived areas. It will cover the costs for the first two years.

But unlike Accrington's town centre wardens scheme, piloted in the late 1990s as a purely crime-busting initiative but scrapped after Government cash ran out, parking fines will cover the costs after two years of NRF funding runs out.

Coun Kay said: "By giving them first aid training, they will able to provide a service which will be invaluable to many."