A TOWN centre is at risk of losing out on vital CCTV upgrades.

Westhoughton Town Council believes the upgrade is essential to crack down on young troublemakers who hang around Market Street at night and at weekends.

But a £7,500 bid for Government grant funding has been turned down by Westhoughton with Chew Moor Area Forum, which controls the area's Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF).

Town councillors are concerned that if they cannot find money for the scheme - costing £15,000 - the problem of anti-social behaviour could become worse.

Town council leader, Cllr Jim Gilfillan, said: "We have been told that the grant application did not meet all the criteria but we're not sure why. If we can't get the funds we will lose-out on a system that can work to its full potential."

There are currently four CCTV cameras on the road, which rely on operators to move them.

The council wants to upgrade the system and install state-of-the-art dome cameras which have pre-set tours of movement and will continually scan the town centre.

The direction of the cameras is masked by the domes, making it harder for offenders to tell when the cameras are focused on them.

Insp Mo Razaq, area inspector for Bolton-west, said: "CCTV is vital in helping to reduce incidents of crime and disorder. It serves as a deterrent and assists in identifying offenders, allowing us to take positive action."

The town council will now apply to Bolton Council for a District Centre Improvement Fund grant. Dome cameras were installed in Horwich town centre last year after Horwich Town Council won money from the fund.