FIRST come, first served! That's the message Radcliffe is giving to Prestwich in a battle to get closed-circuit TV cameras installed in the town centre.

A plan to install eight CCTV cameras in Radcliffe was formulated back in 1998 and it looked like they would be in place next year That was until Bury South MP Ivan Lewis backed a bid to get cameras in Prestwich.

"We have already researched and come up with a scheme that is well-advanced and which forms part of the Radcliffe Renewal Strategy. We've committed ourselves to it publicly," said Councillor Barry Briggs, chairman of Radcliffe Area Board. "We put our bid in first and I would have thought that Radcliffe would have priority."

Radcliffe's CCTV scheme would cost £172,000. The Government has already made £20,000 available and Radcliffe has got assurances of a further £5,000 from London Associates, the landlord of shops in the town centre, and £15,000 to £20,000 from the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive.

To get the rest it has to make a successful bid to the local Community Safety Partnership, which is made up of the council, the police, Victim Support and business people.

The Partnership will then have to submit a bid for a slice of the £153 million the Home Office is allocating to reduce crime nationally.

"Both Radcliffe and Prestwich have needs to be met and it's a pity that both bids can't be accepted," said Coun Briggs.

"Clearly Mr Lewis is responding to the needs of Prestwich, but I'm sure he does not need reminding that Radcliffe is in his constituency too."

He said he would be meeting Mr Lewis but would also submit a detailed report to the Partnership in support of Radcliffe.

"We want our fair share and won't give up lightly," he said.