FUNNYMAN -- Syd Little -- has helped to launch a new high tech crime prevention system designed to improve communication between Fylde communities.

Syd -- one part of comedy duo 'Little and Large" -- officially launched the £8,000 Ringmaster system at Blackpool Police Station on Wednesday, February 11.

The system, which is one of just thirty in the UK, aims to improve communication between police and community groups by providing up-to-the-minute automated information updates by text, phone, fax and email.

Organisations such as Neighbourhood Watch, Age Concern, the Citizens Advice Bureau, Energywatch and Care and Repair have already signed up for the initiative which is capable of sending out 160 messages an hour.

Syd said: "Anything that helps the police to do their job better is a good thing but the advantages of a system like this are fantastic.

"Not only will police get more information out to the public but they'll be able to do it a great deal faster than conventional methods.

"After all, let's face facts, there are a lot of baddies out there. We should do everything we can to give the police the upper hand."

Western Division Police Commander, Mike Cunningham said: "The Ringmaster initiative is an excellent way of getting important messages out to the community effectively and efficiently."