THE race is on to draw up a joint bid for CCTV funding for Horwich and Westhoughton.

At a meeting in Westhoughton, representatives from each town pledged their support for the scheme and a small group was formed to work on a package.

Among those backing the scheme are Horwich and Westhoughton Town Councils, members of the Chamber of Trade in each town, developers of the new Middlebrook sports village and Bolton Wanderers. The bid also has the full support of the police.

But the deadline for bids under the CCTV Home Office Challenge Competition is November 20 and the need for urgency was stressed.

Presentations were made by Richard White, crime prevention co-ordinator for Bolton Council and Colin Lewis, sub-divisional community safety officer, who both offered their services to the partnership.

PC Lewis said it is vital that cameras are monitored 24 hours and that there was a good possibility of a monitoring station, manned by professionals at the new Middlebrook site, which would be an ideal situation for both towns.

PC Lewis, who has carried out research in the towns and compiled photographs and a video, highlighted the advantages of a joint scheme. He said if only one town had cameras, problems would be transferred to the other town only three and a half miles away.

Also, he said, if bids were made separately the towns would be in competition with each other.

Mr White said the group needed to form a partnership, identify existing problems of crime, and consider financial issues.

He said that if it was successful, up to half of the cost would come from the Home Office. The rest would have to be found by the partners.

Supt Sandra Lee, of Astley Bridge sub-division, said the police would give whatever assistance they could.

Said Supt Lee: "Horwich and Westhoughton have made previous bids but have been unsuccessful. I hope that bringing them together will be innovative and achieve success."

Supt Lee said that while cameras do not solve all the problems, they can be beneficial by helping to reduce disorder and crime and give the public reassurance.

Westhoughton Council already has cash set aside for a CCTV bid and Horwich Town Council are to consider a contribution towards the cost at Monday's finance and general purposes committee.

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