EAST Lancashire MP Peter Pike is backing more community wardens to support the police.

He is pressing Home Office Minister John Denham to provide extra cash for Lancashire Police to employ more of the civilian support staff in his Burnley constituency and elsewhere in the sub region.

He made the move after tackling the minister, who recently visited the town to look at the work of the wardens, on the issue in the Commons.

Mr Pike told Mr Denham: "I am sure you will recognise that people are always saying that we need more police in the communities.

"Do you believe that community work wardens -- such as those we have in Burnley, working together with the police -- help to give communities the better standard of life that we want them to have?"

Mr Denham told Mr Pike: "I agree with you. As you know, I recently visited Burnley and was able to hear at first hand how popular the police decision to develop more fully the community beat officer role and the very important links between police officers and the extended police family provided by community wardens.

"You were absolutely right to draw attention to that."

Mr Pike said: "I have looked at the community wardens in training and been out with them in Burnley Wood. They have been a great success. I want to see more of them.

"Mr Denham has seen them in action and I am pressing him for more money for Lancashire police."