POSSIBLY the first of Kent's rural wardens - to serve as the local eyes and ears of the police - will take up the job in Staplehurst, near Maidstone, early in May.

It is among 12 Kent villages in the pilot scheme. The others have yet to be announced. A woman, not from the village, has been appointed and will have four weeks' training.

The project is a partnership between Kent Police and Kent County Council.

Sgt Roscoe Walford of Kent Police's Rural Partnership Team said: "A common misconception is that these wardens will have powers of enforcement and be able to detain people but this is not the case. They are more of a source of information to the people, a friendly face and a police informant. Their role is not confrontational."

The warden will wear a uniform but it will be easily distinguishable from that of a police officer.

County council leader, Cllr Sandy Bruce Lockhart (Con) said: "We are very excited about this scheme. We have had a great reaction from the public and people interested in taking on the job."

Staplehurst parish councillor, Barry Franks, of Headcorn Road, Staplehurst, said he thought the idea was "fantastic".

"It's simply a brilliant concept," he said. "Wardens won't replace the police force but will act as an auxiliary. People can sometimes be reluctant to talk directly to the police - but to talk to a female with no powers of detention seems a better option."

He said: "Everyone moans about things but no-one does anything. Now they can report the little things that irritate to the warden, like burnt out cars.

"The new warden will be doing a vital job."

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