Seaside street wardens will have the power to confiscate alcohol and cigarettes from youngsters and issue fines for dog fouling, littering and cycling on footpaths.

Two community wardens, Miles Hill and Annabel Binnington, and community warden supervisor Sara Rundel have been trained through the Essex Police Accreditation Scheme, the Gazette can reveal.

They have been preparing for the role since they were recruited at the end of last year and are expected to become fully operational at the beginning of next month.

The team has been funded by a £3.7 million grant from the Government's safe and stronger communities fund to revive two of Essex's most deprived wards.

Members of the Neighbourhood Interaction Board, set up to spend the cash in Clacton's Pier ward and Jaywick's Golf Green ward, have been told about toughened powers.

The board, made up of councillors, officers, residents and other organisations, received an outline of the wardens' roles at a private meeting.