A UNIFORMED warden will patrol the streets of Langland in a pioneering scheme for Worcestershire.

The Langland area of Malvern has won Government money to pay for the warden, who will be a visible and recognisable deterrent against crime and anti-social behaviour.

The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions has awarded £29,148 to Malvern Hills Community Safety Partnership for the scheme.

Community safety officer Jenny Lawrence said: "This is something that the people of the Langland ward themselves wanted, so it's great that they have got it.

"The idea arose from the Planning For Real exercise which was held some time ago. It was supported by the various residents' associations as well.

"The warden is not a surrogate police officer. He or she will wear an instantly-recognisable distinctive uniform."

As well as a deterrent, the warden will be a point of contact for people to report problems arising within the community. They will be based at Langland Community Centre.

Mrs Lawrence said the next step would be recruiting the right person for the job, a process into which the residents' associations would have a strong input.

The Community Safety Partnership is a collaboration between district and county councils, police, health authorities and other agencies.

Sally Keeble MP, the parliamentary under-secretary of state at the DTLR, said: "Early findings from pilot warden schemes have shown they have been very successful - cutting crime rates, organising clean-up campaigns and improving services on housing estates."

West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer said: "Naturally I'm delighted that Langland Ward has been chosen for this experimental scheme, especially as when I was minister for housing I was able to launch in Malvern the experiment in Better Housing instigated in order to deter crime on the streets."