PLANS to introduce crime-busting wardens to rid Blackburn and Darwen of "neighbours from hell" are being drawn up by councillors.

The Neighbourhood Warden Scheme would mirror the one run in Hyndburn three years ago which slashed town-centre crime and cut vandalism and graffiti.

Councillors are hoping to bid for funding to bring uniformed community wardens to Blackburn and Darwen to reduce crime and fear of crime and deter anti-social behaviour.

The wardens would wear uniforms and would not be law enforcers but the "eyes and ears" of the police and council.

They would check empty properties and report maintenance and environment problems as well as visiting and supporting vulnerable residents and tackling racial harassment where appropriate.

Conservative CouncillorJohn Williams said: "We wrote to Jack Straw about two years ago asking for Blackburn to be given central funding to develop the scheme. "Many authorities such as Hyndburn had schemes up and running and report after report has shown how effective warden schemes can be.

"We have worked with council officers to produce the present proposals and although we are not happy with every aspect, we are delighted that at least the initiative is now on the agenda."

The wardens would be trained by police and used for low profile disorder and anti-social behaviour.

They were hailed as runaway success in Hyndburn but were axed two years ago because of lack of funding.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is now looking at various ways of funding its own scheme, including bidding for Government cash and asking housing associations if they want to get involved.

Coun Williams said: "We are looking to a crime statistical analysis to show where wardens will be most effective and within which timescales.

"We strongly believe that law and order are Government responsibility.

"To fund this locally is nothing more than another back door tax."