RESIDENTS on a Bolton estate are today celebrating the announcement of almost £80,000 to boost community confidence.

The Home Office has awarded the cash as an extension of the national neighbourhood warden scheme.

The successful bid by housing association William Sutton Trust, which will be used to benefit 710 households on the Long Lane estate, Breightmet, comes days after Bolton council announced a £680,000 project covering residential areas in Hulton Lane, Deane and Great Lever.

It will take the number of residents in the town covered by a warden service to more than 9,000.

Wardens will be easily recognisable in distinctive uniforms and will patrol some of the town's most densely populated areas.

A trust spokesman said: "In the longer term we hope to see crime reduced and to increase the demand for property, whether it be for rent or for sale."

Wardens' roles will range from reporting broken street lights and dodgy pavements to tackling minor incidents of anti-social behaviour, vandalism and racial harrassment.

Bury Council has also been awarded £85,000 to establish a neighbourhood warden scheme at Huntley and Topping Fold covering 1,000 households.

Home office minister Charles Clark said: "Neighbourhood wardens can make a real difference to the quality of life in our communities.

"Initial feedback on warden schemes shows that they can go a long way to reduce the fear of crime and improve local perceptions of an area."