A SCHEME to provide Darwen with mobile CCTV and a market-place sound system look set to go ahead.

At the first meeting of Darwen's new neighbourhood boards, members agreed in principle to set aside £20,000 funds and provide the area’s police officers with the extra cash in a bid to make Darwen safer.

Funds will also be used to provide Darwen Market with a speaker system, so lost children can be re-united with their parents quickly and easily.

The neighbourhood board also plan to provide PCs and PCSOs with funds to purchase CCTV cameras which can be set up in temporary locations to keep check on areas receiving the most complaints from residents.

The plan is the brainchild of Darwen’s new Neighbourhood Board who spent their first meeting at Derwent Hall, deciding how to spend £50,000 on the area.

The board included councillors Roy Davies, Karimeh Foster, Trevor Maxfield, Andrew Graham, Dave Hollings and Julie Slater while community representatives on the panel included market trader Eileen Guy, Darwen Gala organiser John Sturgess and ex youth MP Matthew Worden.

Coun Davies said: “The police have put bids in for more communication tools, which were favourably received. There was an incident a couple of weeks ago when a three-year-old went missing in the market for a short time and speakers in and around the market would have made a big difference.

“We are also very keen on providing funds for portable CCTV that can be used around Darwen to takle vandalism and juvenile problems wherever they crop up.

“There are still thousands left in the pot and at our next meeting in January, I’m sure there will be even more exciting ideas on how to improve Darwen.”