A pilot scheme to stamp out vandalism and anti-social behaviour has been hailed a success after its first 100 days.

Six street wardens began patrols in parts of Hastings and St Leonards at the end of March in the first scheme of its kind in Sussex.

Figures from the first three months show wardens pounded the streets for more than 680 hours and dealt with 1,266 complaints, mainly centred around alcohol-related problems, abandoned vehicles, fly tipping and criminal damage.

Jay Kramer, deputy leader of Hastings Borough Council, said: "This is excellent news. It's so good to have such a positive start to the scheme.

"This council has always had improving Hastings and St Leonards as a key aim and there is no doubt the street wardens are going a long way to helping us achieve it.

"Consultation has shown community safety and crime reduction is top of the residents' agenda. The visible presence street wardens provide is really paying dividends. There is no doubt they are making an important contribution to the prevention of crime.

"I congratulate the whole team on everything they have achieved in their first 100 days."

The wardens cover the town centres of both Hastings and St Leonards and patrol the seafront.

Although they have no police powers they are easily spotted in their uniforms and provide advice and a deterrent to crime.

Since the launch of the scheme towns across East Sussex have drawn up plans to recruit wardens, who receive a five-week training course.