BURY'S ground-breaking Techno Team has proved its technique is working by notching up impressive results.

Since its launch on December 1 the borough's group of quick-fix workers has completed more than 400 jobs in the area.

Co-ordinated by Community Safety Wardens manager, Ged McGee, the Techno Team was set up to tackle specific problems of graffiti, vandalism and litter to make things safer for the community.

A successful pilot scheme in November 2000 resulted in partial funding from Europe, which is being matched by Bury Council, for a further 12 months and the aim is to work in addition to existing council services.

Mr McGee said: "It is not about blame. Often it is difficult to find out who is responsible for a problem and sometimes it can take five or six departments to solve it. The Techno Team is an extra service that gets results on the ground. It is basically two people and a van who can offer short-term quick fixes."

He said the pilot scheme saw an impressive 170 jobs completed in just nine days and the latest scheme, which is costing £25,000, was experiencing just as much success with more than 400 jobs tackled in seven weeks.

Mr McGee said there were a further 543 jobs listed and waiting to be tackled.

Speaking at Prestwich area board, Mr McGee said a number of problems had been solved in the Prestwich area, including the replanting of trees in Ostrich Lane and gravel laid at the entrance of Ostrich Lane play area to help prevent flooding.

Other jobs included the removal of dumped tyres, mending benches and the removal of illegal fly-posters.

Members of the public hailed the scheme as "fantastic" and were encouraged to report any incidents to area co-ordinator Phil Parkinson, who could then refer the problems to the Techno Team.

Phil can be contacted on 253 7245.

Residents living in Whitefield and Unsworth can pass on their problems to co-ordinator Ilona Snow-Miller on 253 6373.