BURY'S new neighbourhood wardens are attracting plenty of attention and not just from the community they serve.

The four-strong team has only been in East Bury for a few months, but news of its operations has spread across the country.

The wardens were visited this week by a delegation from London, which is hoping to set up a similar scheme.

Wardens liaise with the police to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, but also to carry out improvements to the area's environment.

The East Bury team patrols an area bordered by Bell Lane, Rochdale Old Road and Wash Lane, incorporating the Parsonage, Huntley, Topping Fold and Fairfield estates.

Project manager Steve Morris said: "It's good to know that we are not only making an impact locally but nationally.

"Hopefully, some of the good working practices we have established in East Bury will be useful when they start operating in London."

Bury Council's chief executive will today (Friday March 15) go on patrol with the regular community safety wardens.

His beat includes a stint around Bury town centre, Mill Gate's CCTV room, and then on to the Metrolink for patrol duty in Prestwich and Radcliffe.