A CCTV scheme to rid Adlington of "villains" will be speedily introduced following the setting up of a new three-man committee.

It follows raids on local businesses in recent months, including two strikes on the Royal Bank of Scotland, an off-licence and a chemist which have increased the town council's concerns over crime.

Town Mayor Cllr Robert Yates, chairman of the new committee, thinks criminals may feel that Adlington is a soft touch due its lack of CCTV cameras.

He said: "If we can film the villains then convicting them will be easier and that will hopefully keep them away."

A special meeting of the town council is being held on Monday to discuss funding the new cameras.

It is estimated the cost would be £40,000 plus line rental and any running repairs.

The town council gets £15,000 a year through council tax.

A promise of a £10,000 grant from Waste Recycling Environmental (WREN) fell through two months ago because the scheme would not "environmentally enhance" the area.

The plan is to install cameras by the traffic lights in upper Adlington, at Chorley Road and Railway Road, to cover the town centre and on the A6 in lower Adlington to cover the railway station and Park Road.

The town council is worried that if it cannot get something sorted out soon they could miss the boat because the borough council's capacity for cameras is limited.

The new committee also consists of former mayors Barry Lee and Florence Molyneaux.