SPECIAL wardens will soon be patrolling three troubled Preston estates thanks to a Government windfall.

Last year Preston Borough Council applied for funding to set up a street warden scheme in the town's Fishwick, St Matthews and Ribbleton wards.

Now the plans have been given the green light by the Government's department for transport, local Government and the regions (DTLR), and a cash boost of nearly a quarter of a million pounds will be handed over.

Patrols should start in June, with six specially trained wardens tackling problems like vandalism, racial harassment and loud music.

The scheme has been on the council's drawing board since late last year, when the police, Collingwood Housing and the Community Safety Partnership teamed up to present the idea to the Government.

A spokesman for Preston Borough Council said: "This is the next step. The council had to convince the Government they could deliver the scheme, and we have met the requirements now."

It is expected to take around three months to recruit and train the street wardens, and once the scheme is up and running they will patrol the estates on foot at peak periods -- worked out from recent crime audits.

The council will be employing one warden supervisor and six street wardens for the areas, and the group will be given unique uniforms so they are recognisable -- thanks to the Government grant of £237,596.

After a month-long training course, each warden will be working with the local police and will be given special powers to deal with litter and dog fouling.

Councillor Ken Cole, executive member for housing with Preston Borough Council, said: "We're very pleased to get the go-ahead from the Government. We'll now be recruiting the wardens and running an extensive training programme ready for when they hit the streets later this year."