A vote of confidence in the work of town warden Mary Fisher has been delivered by Upton Town Council.

The council is also spearheading moves to find money to keep her in the job.

Ms Fisher was appointed street warden in August last year, using funding from the Communities against Drugs Initiative. However, the money runs out in March.

Her work involves patrolling the area and responding to community concerns on issues like vandalism, crime and anti-social behaviour.

At a meeting of Upton Town Council on Tuesday, mayor Eric White said: "If we want to keep her we have to send a very strong letter to Malvern Hills District Council telling them that we need her.

"I think she's been a great asset to the town. People have got to the stage where they go to Mary with problems, and she isn't just a stranger."

Councillors agreed that a letter should be sent to MHDC by the town clerk.

Coun Clive Smith, the MHDC councillor responsible for community wellbeing, said a bid was currently lodged with the South Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership to ensure funding for another 12 months. The bid is for £81,000, which includes the costs of the community wardens in Upton and Pickersleigh. After the next financial year, Home Office funding will run out.

Coun Smith said: "We're looking at our three-year budget strategy for ways of funding it after that. I'm pretty confident we'll be able to do it.

"The wardens have been an outstanding success. You look at the crime statistics and the feel good factor for the areas they serve and they tell you they'd hate to be without them."

A decision on the next 12 months' funding is expected next month.