A NEW £2.5billion high-tech digital radio system for the emergency services is to be piloted in Lancashire where the first police walkie talkies were developed 30 years ago.

Home Secretary Jack Straw announced the contract between British Telecom and police yesterday.

The aim is to connect all the emergency services for the first time along with neighbouring police forces.

The scheme has already caused controversy after planning permission for a transmission mast was granted just 200 metres from St Anne's and St Joseph's RC Primary School, Accrington- raising fears that radiation from such masts could cause cancer in children.

Work on the scheme is already well under way and will involve Lancashire police, Lancashire Fire and Rescue, the Lancashire Ambulance Trust and the British Transport Police. A BT spokesman said: "The first wave of officers in Lancashire police will start using the new service later this year and the pilot will be used as a test bed to learn and gain experience before the national roll out to other emergency services."

The scheme will offer users access to the police national computer and other data bases as well as improving voice communications and permitting the transmission of photographs and graphics.

It will spread to the rest of Britain over the next five years.

Chief Superintendent Russ Fielding of Lancashire police said: "We have spent the last three years exploring these innovations.

"This is a very exciting time for the force and we will be able to progress with a number of projects which will have a significant impact on police communications in the county, ultimately leading to a better service for the public."

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