ALTRINCHAM town centre may not have any rugged terrain or dangerous wild animals roaming free, but it still needs its rangers.

They are on hand to answer questions from visitors, and to date they've answered everything from the location of the nearest public loo to where to buy a watch battery.

Young unemployed people have been plucked from the government's New Deal programme and they receive training in customer service.

While some people greet their presence with curious stares, they've been welcomed with open arms by traders who see them as a useful weapon in the fight against shoplifters and other undesirables.

But David Rome, who runs the service, insists they haven't been recruited as a cheap police force.

David is in permanant radio contact with his rangers and if they see anything suspicious they report back to him. He will then report the incident to the professional law enforcers.

The project, which was started as a one year pilot scheme, came about thanks to a partnership between Trafford council and an environmental charity, the Groundwork Trust.

David is now waiting to hear if the local authority has agreed to extend funding until 2002. A grant of £22,000 has been applied for.

Young people who become rangers are given 12 month paid contracts with a view to using the experience as a stepping stone to employment. For the first six months their salary is paid by Employment Services and for the remainder of their contract they receive their wages from the Economic Regeneration Partnership (ERP).

David says each ranger works towards a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in customer service but the learning doesn't stop there.

"What they're learning to do is how to present themselves to a range of people. Once they're on the street they could be approached by anybody," he says.

The current crop of rangers are between 18 and 24 and David hopes the scheme will be extended to incorporate those in the 25-30 age group.

As we stroll down Stamford New Road, Geoffrey Richards from Sale approached one of the rangers and asked him where he could buy a new battery for his watch.

He welcomes the introduction of the service and describes the rangers as "the people to ask."

The scheme has also been met with an enthusiastic response from the town's traders.

Patricia Alcock, from Dodgers sandwich bar, describes the service they provide as "very good" and she adds:

"We know we can call upon them if we need them. If any problems arise we can always give them a shout and they'll come in and help us."