CLOSED-circuit TV cameras to fight crime are a step nearer to reaching Radcliffe.

Town hall bosses have put together an outline bid for Government cash which is to be sent to the Home Office today.

If it gets past the first hurdle, they expect to be told by the end of January to put together a full bid with all the details.

Councillor Barry Briggs, chairman of Radcliffe area board, said: "It's early days yet but the Government has made available £150 million for schemes like this across the country.

"We believe we have put together an excellent bid and we are determined to grab a slice of that money.

"There is no doubt that CCTV cameras have a major contribution to make when it comes to ensuring our town centres are safe places to be.

"We envisage that a CCTV scheme for Radcliffe would not only cover the main streets in the centre of town but would also have a prominent role to play on a number of car parks.

"We hope that by linking up with the likes of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and also private sector concerns, that we can put together a real partnership winning bid."