TRADERS in Accrington have slammed a decision not to bid for government money which would have paved the way for the return of the town's warden patrol scheme.

Shopkeepers and market stallholders today expressed amazement at a decision by Hyndburn Council's regeneration arm, Hyndburn First, not to bid for a share of a £13 million pot being made available by the Government to create community warden projects nationwide.

The Government wants projects similar to the one pioneered in Accrington until 1998 to be rolled out across the country -- but Accrington looks set to miss out after the decision not to apply for cash to pay for the wardens' wages.

Michael Whewell, president of the Accrington Chamber of Trade, said: "I am very surprised the council has decided not to seek funding to reintroduce this scheme.

"The community wardens did an excellent job for us in cutting crime and making people feel safe when they came shopping here. "I am sure it would do the town no end of good if they were reinstated."

Neville Singer, chairman of the Accrington Market Hall Tenants' Association, added: "We need the wardens back because they did help bring people into the town.

"It seems very strange that the council has decided not to seek funding.

"I sincerely hope we will see the community patrols back soon."

The original community warden scheme was financed by Hyndburn's first successful Single Regeneration Budget bid but was axed when the cash ran out.

Hyndburn FIRST said it decided not to bid for the money after consulting partners in its crime initiative, who felt other crime-busting ideas would be more effective.

Labour's Coun Dave Parkins said: "It is ridiculous that they have not bid for this money. The Conservatives made a big issue of it when they were scrapped but the officers they control have decided not to bid for money to reinstate the wardens.

"We need a town centre which is safe. Without the wardens, there is no hope of that."