YOBS attacking emergency services face a £5,000 fine after the law was changed this week.

And a Blackburn firm is at the forefront of the fight to stop attacks on fire crews by fitting cutting edge technology to record incidents.

The Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Act is designed to help protect firefighters, ambulance, coastguard and lifeboat crews.

And Vision Techniques, based in Phoenix Park, Blakewater Road, has won a contract to install special digital CCTV recording equipment on fire engines operated by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, which also covers small parts of East Lancashire.

The equipment will record images from 360 degrees around fire engines and store them on hard disks, so they can be accessed quickly and easily.

Michael Hanson, managing director of Vision Techniques, said: "We are very pleased. It isn't just Manchester, it also helps us talk to other fire authorities around the country. It gives us credibility."

The firm will install equipment on about 60 fire appliances for Greater Manchester Fire Service, in a contract worth about £200,000.

The hard disks used can then store about seven to 14 days of images.

Andrew Kelly, sales representative, said: "Our commitment to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service will continue for many years to come.

"Utilising digital recording systems on road transport vehicles is one of the most challenging environments for this type of equipment, and fire appliances epitomise this."

Vision Techniques, which was founded about 20 years ago and employs more than 30 staff, specialises in mobile technology for the transport market, from reversing sensors to CCTV.

Its clients have included Coca Cola and Argos, Biffa, B&Q and BT. It has also done work for Merseyside, and Cheshire fire services.

The firm, which has a turnover of about £5million was awarded the contract after a national pilot scheme before the new legislation came into force.