TWO troublespot shopping areas are being given thousands of pounds to help with security measures.

Brookfield estate in Preston and Leyland's Wade Hall will get nearly £35,000 between them to help with CCTV and other crime prevention measures.

Both estates have been classed as needy by the Government, and the money will go towards keeping the area's shops open.

The police officer in Preston responsible for community safety has described local shops as the heart of the community, and says Preston's £24,000 grant will be put to good use.

Pam Cooper, of Brookfield United residents' association, praised the scheme saying: "Two years ago all the shops were being vacated, now we have only got one that isn't being used."

Sgt Steve Hobin is using the windfall to add CCTV to the Brookfield estate, and finish off work to the Larches, Savick, Ingol and Tanterton areas.

About eight cameras are expected to be installed at each shopping area by August.

In Leyland, £10,000 is being made available to improve the Royal Avenue area, to make it safer and easier for people to go to the shops.

Alison Hatton, of the South Ribble crime and disorder partnership, said: "In particular those shops have problems associated with youth nuisance. Under certain circumstances locals feel intimidated using the shops at night and sometimes during the day.

The money must be spent by the end of the financial year in April.