A FORMER fire-fighter is at the helm of a very new kind of brigade.

Lancaster City Council has appointed Alan Winters as the boss of its new Poulton and West End Street Wardens Scheme, the aim of which is to help make the West End neighbourhood a cleaner, safer and better place in which to live.

Led by Alan, a team of wardens will patrol the streets and work with the local community to help bring about improvements for people living there.

Having completed 30 years in the fire service, the last 18 of which saw him based at Morecambe Fire Station, Alan has a keen awareness of the concerns of the local community both in the West End and Poulton.

Indeed, he spent the past 12 months of his fire service career as the fire service liaison to the Regeneration work already taking place in Poulton.

Since his recent appointment as warden manager Alan has been working with local groups to highlight the wardens' role.

Commenting on the new initiative he said: "I am so enthusiastic about the potential of this scheme.It is fresh and challenging and I am looking forward to working with the other wardens, residents and other services in the area to help produce some positive long-lasting results for the residents in these two areas.

"I anticipate these will include reducing incidents refuse dumping, fly tipping, dog fouling, anti-social behaviour, nuisance and graffiti, fear of crime, and criminal damage."

The scheme is due to start in early July.

It has been made possible following Lancaster City Council's successful bid for European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) as well as funding from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the city council itself.

Anyone wanting to find out more about Street Wardens can contact Alan on 409636.