BURY'S pioneering scheme to put a team of "street ambassadors" on patrol in the borough's town centres has become a victim of its own success.

New recruits are urgently needed to help the Community Safety Wardens project carry on its good work.

The ground-breaking project has become almost too successful for its own good, as newly-trained recruits leave to take up full-time jobs.

Town hall bosses say that the project, which has attracted attention across the country and even from abroad, has achieved its two main aims which are to provide a "friendly face" on town centre streets and help people back into employment.

But the latter has worked so well that co-ordinators are having to launch their second recruitment drive in recent months. Mr Ged McGee, project manager, said: "Nearly 70 per cent of those who have joined us have gone on to find employment elsewhere, many in advance of the 12 months contract period we would normally expect them to be with us.

"Earlier this year we expanded the number of wardens to 16 to patrol right across the borough. Now we find ourselves down to just ten and we quickly need to recruit more wardens in order to meet our service levels.

"We are offering a chance to serve and be a part of the community and give first class, relevant training which, as we have found, can and does enhance future career prospects."

Councillor Derek Boden, council leader, said that the wardens did a wonderful job as the borough's "ambassadors on the streets", and working with the police to tackle crime and vandalism.

"It is always a shame to lose highly trained people," he said, "but the intention was always to provide those involved with every opportunity to go on to take up employment elsewhere and to give others their chance.

"So far we have had no shortage of potential wardens putting their names forward. I am sure that will be the case in this latest recruitment drive."

Applications are particularly welcome from people who are seeking to return to work after a break for domestic reasons, those of ethnic origin, disabled people, lone parents or those with no sustained employment history.

Anyone interested in becoming a warden should ring 253 6181, visit any job centre, or attend the warden project office at 76 The Rock, Bury, before January 22.