WHITWORTH could be one of the first towns in the country to benefit from CCTV cameras - hidden by advertising boards.

Whitworth Town Council is seeking planning permission to introduce the innovative project to its streets by putting up six electronic Amberwatch display panels in the town.

It uses advertising revenue, generated by the display panels, to pay for the CCTV cameras and maintenance costs - saving council tax payers money and providing an extra source of funding to the town council which gets a share of advertising revenue.

The panels can also be used to advertise local community events, and police and emergency services can use them in times of crisis.

The built-in cameras would run from the boundary of Britannia to Healey Corner, to help deter criminals by covering key areas such as the new civic hall site, leisure centre, and the town centre.

Former Whitworth Mayor and Independent councillor Alan Neal said: "This would be one of the first in the country after it had a successful trial in Sussex.

"We are trying to make the town as safe as possible for the people who live, work and visit.

"Some people are going to say it's an infringement of their civil liberties.

"It's not that we are spying, we are protecting people's right to stay safe on our streets, so if people don't do anything wrong then there's nothing to be concerned about.

"It's an absolutley superb scheme."

The planning application will be considered by officers at Rossendale Council before a recommendation is sent to planners at Lancashire County Council for a decision.

Paul McConnell, of 247outdoor Ltd, based in Newton-Le- Willows, said the company recently formed 'The Amberwatch Trust', a charity to which it will contribute a percentage of advertising revenue from all its Amberwatch sites.

The charity helps pay for school liaison officers to warn of "stranger danger" and fund other child abduction prevention initiatives.

If the scheme is given the go-ahead, the company would enter into a contract with the council to guarantee funding for 20 years.

Mr McConnell said: "If the Whitworth scheme comes off it will be one of the first in the country and should provide a valuable deterrent against crime, a fantastic early warning alert system for emergencies, child abductions, and a great community advertising platform for showcasing what's going on in the town.

"Add to that the fact that it won't cost taxpayers a penny, and it will provide extra revenue for the town council."