BETTER security cameras may be installed to make a town centre safer - only if a wrangle over cash can be resolved.

Westhoughton's security camera system has been plagued with money problems since it was first mooted in 1997.

It is currently in danger of being axed because only a handful of traders in Market Street have agreed to pay £100 a year towards running costs.

But the town council is considering upgrading the system, which would require £16,000 to be found first. Town councillor David Wilkinson has called on traders to come forward with the money to help make the town centre safer.

He said: "A firm has been in to have a look at the cameras and we have an offer on the table for a set of replacement cameras and the cost of that would be about £16,000. It is not a free scheme and it was never intended to be so the sooner people realise that we are all in this together, the better.

"We are still thinking about whether to keep the existing scheme but we always recognised that there would be technological developments. There is nothing wrong with the existing cameras but these would do the job better."

The town council has so far supported the scheme out of its council tax precept but says it is unfair to use public money for a scheme the traders agreed to support.

Meetings have already been held with traders in a bid to find a solution to the stalemate but councillors say they will have to make a decision by the autumn.

"With the £100 per year, we could start to build up a fund towards the improvements but it needs people to stand up and start helping," Cllr Wilkinson added.