A bid to boost the number of officers on the beat in Fylde has been granted funding from Home Office officials.

Lancashire Constabulary are now set to launch one of its largest and most high profile drives to recruit more than 450 police community support officers across the county (PCSO) over the next two years, after the Home Office's Neighbourhood Policing Fund confirmed the force had secured cash for the intiative.

Official figures have yet to be released per area but it is believed the recruitment drive could mean a "significant" increase to the 34 PCSO's currently working in Blackpool and the Fylde.

The initial roll-out is expected to include around 114 new officers taking to the streets by the end of the year, with a further 335 PCSO's also being appointed in the lead-up to 2008, many of which will have their position part-funded by local authorities in the county.

One of the main tasks of PCSO's is foot patrolling local communities providing reassurance and helping to reduce crime by tackling incidents of anti-social behaviour and other crimes, as well as teaching children about road safety and working with local groups to solve community problems.

Leading the recruitment drive, Chief Inspector Bill McMahon (above) said: "Neighbourhood policing is all about policing at the local level and here in Lancashire, we have what we call an extended police family to help us to do that.

"They have an important role to play in their own right and here in Lancashire, we have recognised that which is why we are delighted to have been successful in securing the funding for more."