PENDLE'S first town centre wardens have hit the streets to improve the quality of life for people living and working in Nelson, Colne and Brierfield.

Ian Metcalf and Ian Pickles will play an important role in ensuring a better environment in the towns.

Their work will include working with traders, helping with town centre events, dealing with litter, dog fouling enforcements and the removal of flyposting and graffiti.

It will also involve making police referrals, flagging up vacant properties for re-use and carrying out town centre surveys.

Councillor Azhar Ali, leader of Pendle Council, said: "The town centre wardens will make a real difference by assisting with the management, efficient operation and boosting confidence in the town centres."

New warden Ian Pickles said: "We are keen to create a more pleasant environment for residents, shoppers and traders.

"It is a great opportunity to clean up our towns and make sure people see some real results."

The new wardens have been funded by the Government's Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and they can be contacted on 07753 778551 or 07753 778550.

Jan Joshi, the council's town centres officer, said: "The wardens' role includes providing information to and liaison with the public aimed at improving their experience of the town centres.

"They will help us to keep abreast of and deal with issues that are raised within the centres.

"The wardens will concern themselves with working with traders and members of the public, reporting litter, dog fouling or graffiti problems."

Ian McInery, operational services manager, said: "Town centre wardens are the pro-active way forward to bring council officers directly to the public on a daily basis."

The wardens will work Saturdays as part of their working week and will be available on their mobiles on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday up to 5.15pm and Saturday until 5.30pm.