TWO crime-plagued industrial estates are to get CCTV cameras in a scheme worth close to £1 million.

Cameras will be installed in the Mill Hill and Tonge Bridge Industrial Estates before Christmas, along with mobile patrols and alarm units.

Better fencing and landscaping improvements worth £100,000 will also be introduced over the next 18 months.

Business leaders hope the scheme will help regenerate the estates and reduce the level of crime.

Guy Darragh, programme co-ordinator, said: "The funding will improve the physical condition and increase business confidence, leading to better business performance and the regeneration of the estates which have suffered for years.

"This help should also attract new companies to the area and help existing businesses with growth and competitiveness.

"Already, more than 80 per cent of companies on Tonge Bridge have agreed in principle to join the new scheme."

The Industrial Estate Partnership programme was put in place in Tonge after a successful trial at five similar industrial estates in Farnworth and Kearsley.

The partnership is led by Bolton Council, along with Greater Manchester Police, Business Link, East Bolton Regeneration and is part financed through the European Regional Development Fund.

The East Bolton Regeneration fund is also being used to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in other parts of Tonge.

Up to 12 ginnels on the Entwistle estate, Tonge, will be closed off after complaints from residents of anti-social behaviour from youths on their streets.

And a full time crime and disorder reduction manager has been working with residents and community groups for the last two years to try and find ways of reducing crime and disorder in east Bolton.

A meeting will be held next month for interested businesses who wish to find out more about the CCTV camera and improved security scheme.

The meeting will take place at Bolton Pentecostal Church, Bury Road, on Wednesday, September 8, at noon.

For more details contact Guy Darragh 01204 336140.