BUSINESSES on a Bolton industrial estate are safer than ever, thanks to the pioneering efforts of an East Lancashire security company.

Burnley-based Alert Security Services is celebrating after clinching a deal with Bolton Metro's Industrial Estate Partnership to provide security support and services for businesses across the borough.

And phase one of the initiative, the Farnworth and Kearsley Partnership, has just been launched.

Trevor Shanley, managing director of Alert, said the scheme is the first of its kind in the UK.

"It's a real one-off and we are delighted to be involved. We actually designed and installed the alarm and monitoring systems for the project," he said.

The partnership is a business-led initiative that has been developed with companies operating in key industrial areas.

The first phase of the project will help 180 companies on five industrial estates in the Farnworth and Kearsley area.

Alert's contribution is part of a targeted package of security measures such as monitored street CCTV, alarm response service, mobile patrols, shared intelligence, fencing and landscaping.