TRADERS are being urged to put aside their anger over a councillor's comments and back a cash-threatened CCTV system.

Ian Sanderson, vice-chairman of Bolton Business Forum, called on businesses to salvage Westhoughton's street TV network by agreeing to pay towards running costs.

They have until September 9 to break the deadlock before the cameras are turned off.

But a resolution hangs in the balance after a new row broke out between traders and the town council.

Furious business owners attacked Cllr David Wilkinson for claiming they "don't give a monkeys" about the town centre after they failed to pay towards the cameras.

He told a Westhoughton Town Council meeting this week: "If the traders don't give a monkeys about the town centre, why should people go into their shops?"

Traders branded the comments "soul destroying" and said they were unlikely to start paying.

Ewan Johnson, of JT Travel, in Market Street, said: "I'm appalled and disgusted. There are traders here who have been turning up six days a week for 30 years and it's a highly irresponsible thing to say."

The cameras, which were installed in 2001, will be turned off unless a majority of businesses each agrees to pay £100 a year.

Today, Cllr Wilkinson said: "I'm glad I said what I did. It's the only way you can get a reaction from these people.

"We've faced a constant level of apathy since for years from the traders, apart from a small handful.

"It needs someone to say something like this or we'll just plod and nothing will ever get done."

But Mr Johnson said: "I won't pay. There has been very little in about three or four years that has encouraged people to continue paying for the cameras.

"It should be the banks and pubs who pay for this because they are the main benefactors."

Harry Bateson, of Batesons, in Market Street, said: "It's out of order to say that. I'm very disappointed and don't see how it helps the situation."