CAMPAIGNERS have won their battle to move a crime-fighting CCTV camera to a vital junction in Has-lingden.

Councillors and residents who form part of the Haslingden, Edenfield and Helmshore neighbourhood forum, run by Rossendale council, were concerned that the camera, in Lower Deardengate, had been poorly sited.

People felt the camera would be much more useful at the junction of Blackburn Road, Dear-dengate and Manchester Road.

Rossendale's crime and disorder partnership has now agreed to the proposal and is looking to allocate funding for the switch.

Heidi Finlay, Haslingden's neighbourhood manager, said: "It is not just a question of moving the camera but maintenance and monitoring as well.

"CCTV cameras alone, depending on their specification, can cost £20,000 a time. Then you have to consider what it will cost to install it and pay for the communications to be diverted, as well as the ongoing costs."

Quotes were currently being obtained for the works and it was hoped it would take place within the next couple of months.

Coun Gladys Sandiford, forum chairman, added: "This camera will take in virtually every bank and building society so this will be a big improvement.

"The camera seems to be fairly useless where it is at the moment so if this camera takes in Deard-engate, Manchester Road and Haslingden Road then that will be worthwhile.

"We have had a number of raids on banks and building societies and if this is able to help security then we should welcome it."