TWO housing estates are to be patrolled by wardens to help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

New neighbourhood wardens will take to the streets on the Victoria and Hillock council estates in Whitefield.

They will also cover 500 privately owned homes in nearby Besses ward.

The Government is contributing £153,000 over the next three years to fund five wardens. The money will be matched by Bury Council and the Rivers Housing Association, which is responsible for homes on the Hillock estate.

The borough has already pioneered community safety wardens, and these are expected to complement them.

Councillor Derek Boden, deputy council leader and Besses councillor, said: "The new wardens will cover an area that contains 2,500 homes and they will focus primarily on environmental issues, although they will also be on hand to address anti-social behaviour and crime."

The wardens will be high-profile and work with local people and organisations to improve their area.

The Victoria estate has a high number of family homes, with one-third of the population aged under 16. On Hillock, a £21 million improvement programme over three years is under way, including measures to tackle security and environmental works.

In Besses ward there are high levels of unemployment, poor health and a high percentage of lone parents.

Coun Boden added: "Neighbourhood wardens are a relatively new concept but we are convinced that they will make a real difference. They will act as the eyes and ears of not just the council but also the local community out on the streets."

The news was welcomed by Chief Superintendent Phil Hollowood, divisional commander.

"We will continue our ever closer partnership with Bury Council to ensure that these new wardens and, indeed, the existing town centre wardens and council security officers, are deployed in a way which complements police activity for maximum impact on crime."

And Ivan Lewis, MP for Bury South, said. "I am absolutely delighted this bid has been a success and we can begin to improve the quality of life for people living on the Hillock and Victoria Lane estates.

"This is another example of the Government, council and local people working together for the good of the community.

"I look forward to patrolling the area with these street wardens when they begin their duties."