POLICE bosses have unveiled plans to recruit 434 extra community support officers (CSOs).

A recruitment drive is now underway with 114 due to be appointed this year and the remaining 334 in 2007/8.

The posts are being funded by the government for two years and then councils and police will share the bill.

The CSOs, who have limited powers to tackle low-level problems, will be used in community policing tackling anti-social behaviour, teaching children about road safety, supporting vulnerable residents and working with local groups.

Since their introduction in 2002, Lancashire now has 165 CSOs.

Assistant Chief Constable Mike Cunningham said: "We have demonstrated that CSOs are very much part of what we are trying to achieve in terms of reassurance and reducing crime.

"CSOs have proven their worth and have a crucial role to play."