THE Quantock Hills AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) Service has appointed the country's first police community support officer (PCSO) to cover an AONB. Eamonn Leniston will help to tackle the illegal use of hilltop tracks by 4x4 vehicles and motorcycles, fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour and other environmental issues. His presence should address the main issue raised by visitors and residents in the Quantock Hills AONB Management Plan 2004 and the Quantock Hills Visitor Survey 2003, namely disturbance from motor vehicles in an area renowned for its tranquility. Mr Leniston's appointment was made at the request of Somerset County Council to the Quantock Hills AONB Service and Avon and Somerset Police Authority and will be funded by the Quantock Hills Sustainable Development Fund. He will be based at Williton police station and have an office with the AONB service - a partnership supported by the county council, the Countryside Agency, West Somerset Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council and Sedgemoor District Council. It is hoped that by having a community base, Mr Leniston will be able to tackle issues affecting the Quantock Hills in a more efficient way. He will co-ordinate with the beat officers in the area in order to provide a regular, visible presence on the hills. He is also aiming to address the problem of farm equipment theft and seek to develop community- based action teams. Mr Leniston has worked as a PCSO for four years and was previously based in both Bridgwater and Taunton. He said: "I look forward to working alongside the Quantock rangers in such a beautiful part of the county. "I hope to make a major impact on the reduction of crime and nuisance in the Quantocks." Somerset County Councillor for the area, Cllr Anthony Trollope–Bellew, who is also chairman of the council's Quantocks AONB Joint Advisory Committee, said: "This appointment will address the problems of theft from cars, torching stolen vehicles, poaching and other criminal activities on the hill. "At this time some of these are at lower levels than has been the case in the past. "I am sure this appointment will be a success and over time we will see a further reduction in these problems."    Nic Crocker, sector commander for West Somerset, said: "This is a real opportunity for the police service to become more visible on the Quantocks. "We will have time to have closer contact with those who use them and manage their use. "I am grateful to the AONB service for their active support in making this a reality. We all have an investment in keeping the hills a safe place for everybody.