THE pioneering Parks and Walcot street wardens could be out of work in the New Year victims of Swindon Council's tightening its purse strings.

One council source, who did not want to be named, said some of the wardens felt so confident they would be out of work that they planned to start looking for alternative employment soon.

The wardens, who patrol the estates and recently branched out to cover parts of central Swindon including Manchester Road, are the eyes and ears of the community, helping to rid areas of the blight of drugs, graffiti, vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

But with the borough's finances in difficulties, council tax threatening to rise by as much as 14.7 per cent and the authority's education and social services departments struggling, the wardens are not seen as a top priority as work on next year's budget begins. The street wardens arrived in their distinctive red uniforms in May 2000 as part of a two-year Government pilot scheme, and have cost the council nothing as yet. The entire cost of the two-year project, some £250,000, has been met by central Government.

But that money runs out in March, by which time the council will have to decide whether to spend a similar amount on continuing the scheme, or end it altogether.

Council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawns) said: "When we, the Conservative group, were the interim administration two years ago, I said we were quite happy to take the Govern-ment's money, but now we need to prioritise and it's up to the cabinet and full council as to whether this scheme is a priority.

"I'm led to believe that the scheme has worked quite well, but as people well know this council has limited resources."

The wardens were introduced to combat residents' fears and provide vital assistance to the police.

They work out of a portable building behind garages in Lyndhurst Crescent in Park North.

Their main duty is walking the streets and providing a visible presence in one of the 10 most deprived areas in the South West. They also hold drop-in surgeries, help with neighbourhood disputes and tutor 100 junior wardens.

Graffiti on the estates has been cleaned up in a partnership with the probation service, in which offenders serving community rehabilitation orders.

The Swindon scheme earlier this year became the first in the country to be used as an assessment centre where NVQ-qualified staff teach others their skills.

A report detailing the arguments for and against the street wardens will be tabled before the council's decision-making cabinet meting next month.