BUSINESSES are being urged to back a scheme which will provide increased security in return for a one-off payment.

Blackburn with Darwen Council intends to create a Business Improvement District (BID) covering Whitebirk, Greenbank and Furthergate industrial estates.

The 248 eligible firms located within the zone would have to pay a one-off amount per year of between £320 and £2,000 based on their rateable value.

As part of the deal the council would spend £250,000 installing CCTV and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to detect burglars and motorists suspected of crimes.

Wardens would also patrol the area and sort out any issues such as clearing abandoned vehicles or arranging repairs after break-ins.

The cash from the one-off levy would form a fund and businesses would then dictate how the money was spent on improving the area.

The council has launched a ballot after 80 per cent of the firms who returned questionnaires in a consultation period backed proposals.

Now they are urging businesses to vote before the deadline this Sunday.

Andrew Skinner, the council's business projects officer said: "The BID is the opportunity to improve and develop the area and will empower the businesses to make the decisions they want. The improved security will save money through reduced insurance and if there is a break-in it would be quicker to clear up.

"We want as many people as possible to have a say."

So far 81 of the 248 firms have voted following the consultation period.

Only businesses with a rateable value over £10,000 would be asked to contribute to the scheme, which has to backed by over 50 per cent of voters.

The scheme could be launched by 2008.