SHOPS are to be given a security boost after a £1.8million grant aimed at tackling crime in deprived areas was announced by the government.

Eighteen schemes in the North West will benefit from the three-year crime-busting scheme with funding allocated to five counties.

In Lancashire, Blackburn and Darwen is to receive £33,713, Burnley £19,485, Chorley £10,000, Hyndburn £19,485, Pendle £26,599, Ribble Valley £10,000 and Rossendale £10,000.

All areas will get the these amounts both this year and next as part of the initiative.

Last year Blackburn received £26,442 and Pendle £18,509 under the scheme.

The money will be targeted at a selection of areas that fall within the most deprived wards in the country.

Police said today they would be working with the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships to look at exactly where and how the money would be spent. The cash is part of a £15million Government crime-busting scheme, announced last June, to improve security in deprived areas across the country.

Crime and Disorder Reduction partnerships covering the selected areas will be advised on how to identify needy areas which will benefit most. Once selected, retailers will be approached to take part in the scheme.

Chief Inspector Steve Gregson, of Blackburn Police, today welcomed the funding. He said: "It is great news that the area will benefit from this funding. We will need to make sure that we target the right areas and to make sure those areas will benefit from it."

Around £6million will be available under the scheme in each of the next two years for all those areas on the North West that have been targeted.

Items that will be funded as part of the scheme will depend on the requirements of each individual project, but they could include:

Installation of CCTV and alarms

Improved security lighting

Enhanced security for individual shops -- such as better locks and toughened glass

There could also be face-lifts for rundown shopping areas.

Home Office Minister John Denham, who has overall responsibility for crime reduction, said: "Local shops are at the heart of our communities and it is important that every region receives help to tackle the crime and anti-social behaviour that blights shops in some of our most impoverished communities."