COMEDIAN Dave Spikey will be the talk of the town when his gift of the gab becomes the latest weapon in the fight against car crime.

Spikey, better known for his role of Jerry St Clair in the hit comedy series Phoenix Nights, is helping to drive away car thieves by lending his voice to talking signs being put up in Bolton.

And his recorded messages will be heard in car parks across town centre as part of a new initiative against car thieves.

The former Royal Bolton Hospital haematology worker has re-worked the standard messages to add a bit of humour to a serious subject.

So as motorists park, they will hear the announcements - in his distinctive accent - reminding them to lock their vehicles, remove valuables, including satellite navigation systems, and put other goods out of sight.

The messages are triggered by a motion sensor on the signs and will be activated as motorists walk from their cars.

The six talking signs, funded by Parking Services and monitored by BSAFE - the Safer Bolton Strategic Partnership - will be used initially in three car parks, with two in the Johnson Street/Railway Triangle area, three in Breightmet Street, and one in Pool Street.

More are planned in the future.

Spikey said: "I'm all for what the BSAFE partnership is trying to achieve in terms of reducing crime and making the community safer, and this seems a great way of getting involved.

"I was only too happy to do it. I tried to make the messages funny and friendly so people remember what I've said.

"We are lucky in Bolton. The car parks are generally safe but these will help to make Bolton an even safer and more attractive place to visit."

Cllr John Rothwell, Bolton Council executive member for community safety and social inclusion, said: "It's great news that someone as well known as Dave is backing our campaign to reduce crime," he said.

"Bolton's car parks have won awards for their security, and the introduction of the talking signs will continue to improve safety."

The new initiative builds on the success of a campaign which ran from November to early January which saw a drop in the figures of theft from, and theft of cars compared to the same period in 2004.

During the operation, special partols notified the Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority of any vehicle which had goods on show.

The DVLA sent letters to more than 200 vehicle owners car to warn them about car thieves.

Chief Supt Dave Lea, head of Bolton police said: "Car crime in Bolton is falling generally, and we hope that these new signs, with Dave's familiar voice, and humorous messages, will really make people think twice about their own and their vehicle's security when they park."