The number of Community Support Officers in Wyre could triple in two years if a police bid for council cash is successful.

Another 20 CSOs are needed in Cleveleys, Fleetwood, Poulton, Over Wyre and Garstang, Lancashire Police say.

But the force needs council help of £220,000 per year to boost CSO numbers from 11 to 31 by 2008.

Inspector Ian Sewart told councillors: "The introduction of CSOs across the Wyre area has been warmly received by our communities -- consultation tells us they have made a significant impact on those quality of life issues that affect us all.

"Initially we wish to bid for an additional 20 Community Support Officers to be appointed to the Wyre area. We are confident that we can negotiate to achieve this figure, however this will be conditional on us meeting the financial conditions."

The Wyre bid is part of a government drive to boost CSOs nationally.

Although CSOs do not have full police powers of arrest, they can issue tickets, and help police tackle local problems such as noisy neighbours by acting as co-ordinator for different agencies.

They can also help with environemtal activities such as 'graffiti-busting' and dealing with fly tippers and reassure residents with their high visibility patrolling, police say.

In Wyre, Lancashire Police is aiming for another 10 CSOs to be in place by December next year, and a further 10 by July 2007. But Home Office funding leaves a shortfall of £11,000 per CSO per year.

Wyre's cabinet has already said it supports in principle an increase in CSOs and has looked at meeting costs by increasing car parking charges.

Councillors will discuss the issue again, and hear the results of a public opinion survey at a cabinet meeting this Monday (December 12).

The cabinet is then likely to declare how many CSOs it is prepared to support, and how it would fund them.