A FINAL deadline has been issued to Horwich traders before the town council is forced to switch off the town's CCTV cameras.

Horwich Town Council has distributed the fourth and final letter to town centre shops and businesses covered by the eight existing security cameras asking for contributions towards their running costs.

A similar warning has been given to Westhoughton traders who are also refusing to stump up the cash.

So far traders in Horwich have refused to pay a voluntary sum of £10 a month to support the scheme and councillors are set to take a final decision on the future of the cameras at their next meeting.

The council says that without the help of traders it cannot afford the £16,000 a year needed to maintain the cameras. If they are taken away it will end the 24-hour surveillance of the town centre.

In the letter, traders were told that anyone who wishes to retain the CCTV system had until 5pm on Thursday, to register their willingness to contribute £10 towards the scheme.

Council leader John Cronnolley said: "The response from traders has been pretty pathetic.

"This has to be a partnership.

"It is not only the people of Horwich who benefit, but the traders themselves as it is their businesses that are directly covered by the cameras. We are not very hopeful and I am very disappointed with the actions and the attitude of the traders.

"The council does its best to support businesses, but if they are not prepared to put their hands in their pockets for the equivalent of £2.30 a week the cameras will have to be switched off and they will only have themselves to blame."

Horwich town councillors will discuss the future of the system and announce their final decision at their next meeting on Monday, September 13.

Representatives from the town's shops and businesses are welcome to attend the public meeting, which starts at 7.30pm at the Public Hall, Lee Lane.