Uniformed "street wardens" are to patrol Bradford city centre in a new drive to make it a clean, crime-free zone.

Ten wardens will work closely alongside the police and Bradford Council in the £255,000 government-funded scheme which was announced today.

It comes as part of the government's £500m country-wide strategy to form an "extended police family" which has already prompted criticism from officers' unions.

Among the wardens' duties will be ensuring the city is kept clean and tidy while helping to curb anti-social behaviour and minor crimes.

They will direct Council cleaning teams to graffiti and litter hotspots as well as acting as "extra eyes and ears" for police officers. However, although they are designed to acts as a deterrent to would-be criminals and they will be in close contact with police, the wardens will not have the power of arrest.

The new team will be employed by the Council but managed by Bradford police.

The scheme was widely welcomed today as a way improving life in the city centre.

Bradford Council leader, Coun Margaret Eaton, said the scheme had been successfully piloted elsewhere and added: "The additional presence in the city centre created by the wardens will be good for the city as a whole.

"They will work closely with the police, council and businesses to make the city a cleaner, safer place to work and shop."

Superintendent Colin Western, from Bradford South Police, said: "We are looking forward to working with these new wardens to make the city a more welcoming and safer place for everyone. We are fully committed to reducing crime and the fear of crime and this new scheme will strengthen and support the work of the division's City Centre Team."

He added: "The role will be complementary to that of the police and not seen as a replacement and I am sure they will have a valuable presence in the city centre supporting local officers, playing a significant role in fighting crime and building a safer community."

But Chris Turton, chairman of the West Yorkshire Police Federation, branded the move "dangerous". Mr Turton added: "What we would support is the expansion of the Special Constabulary which ensures properly trained officers are there to serve the public."