A SCHEME which will see increased security for businesses will go ahead after companies voted in favour of the idea.
A Business Improvement District (BID) will be created by Blackburn with Darwen Council covering the Whitebirk, Greenbank and Furthergate industrial estates.
The 247 eligible firms located within the zone will 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 it is envisaged the council would spend £250,000 installing CCTV and automatic number plate recognition cameras to detect burglars and motorists suspected of crimes.
The scheme will go ahead following a ballot in which 94 out of the 247 eligible businesses responded.
Of the respondents 89 per cent voted in favour of the BID which had to be backed by 50 per cent of businesses.
Adam Scott, the council's director of regeneration said: "We now look forward to seeing the new management board in place, and together with the police we'll work to improve security in these areas."
The scheme could be launched by 2008.
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