New coordinators are being sought to join the ranks of Portishead’s Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

Crime prevention, speeding, parking, rubbish collections and road repairs are just some of the issues the group tackles on behalf of residents, passing on queries to the relevant authorities.

The scheme currently has about 70 coordinators covering 85 roads in the town, which is a very small proportion and a figure which chairman Nick Gough hopes to increase soon.

He said: “We are desperately in need of more roads to join Neighbourhood Watch.

“The trouble is that it is seen as an older persons’ thing.

“A lot of people joined when it was launched in the 1970s but now have other things they want to be doing.

“Being in Neighbourhood Watch is about keeping your eyes and ears open for anything that needs tackling and reporting it to the police or our panel.

“But, it is not just about curtain twitching.

“It is about being a good neighbour. It is not just about the law and working with the police but also doing good deeds and keeping an eye on the people nearby, for example, the elderly.”

For more details about how to become a Neighbourhood Watch coordinator email nhw@nickgough.net or call Nick on 01275 400165.