A TASK force dedicated to cleaning up Winchester's streets is likely to move a step closer to becoming a reality.

Neighbourhood wardens could be out and about in the city in just six months if civic bosses continue to back the scheme.

A team of three wardens would initially work across the city with local communities to make Winchester a cleaner and safer place to live and work.

The future of the project, which will cost £180,000 over the next two years, will be discussed at the next meeting of Winchester City Council's Cabinet.

It is expected to give the project the go-ahead subject to consultation with various local bodies including Tenants and Council Together (TACT), the Town Forum, the Community Safety Partnership and community groups in Stanmore and Highcliffe.

Central government strongly supports neighbourhood warden schemes and versions are already up and running in Southampton and the Test Valley.

A report, to be considered at the Cabinet meeting next Tuesday, states: "It is suggested that the emphasis of the wardens scheme should be placed on practical environmental work and problem-solving in the public realm rather than on 'policing' or working on behalf of individuals."

Their role will include clearing rubbish, litter and graffiti, making simple general repairs, generating community improvements and visiting local schools to promote safety campaigns.

Winchester wardens will focus on the areas with the largest concentrations of council housing - Highcliffe, Stanmore and Winnall.

The report states: "crime figures and anecdotal reporting suggest that none of these areas has what would be described as 'a crime problem' although the density of housing does mean there is a higher level of crime-related antisocial behaviour than the average across the district."

Councillor Sheila Campbell, leader of the city council, told the Daily Echo that Winchester City Council's wardens will be different from the uniformed accredited officer schemes being proposed by the police and county council.

"We are proposing that our neighbourhood wardens would simply be able to pick up the phone and make sure that problems get fixed, and in some cases fix them themselves," said Cllr Campbell.

"We are at an early stage and haven't started recruiting yet. We really do want people who are interested in building the community and helping people on the ground where there is an obvious need to get things done."