Crime hit businesses in Bolton could be handed Government cash in a bid to improve security in the town.

Bolton Council has been handed £18,509 by the Home Office to fund crime-busting schemes.

And among the ideas under consideration is giving grants to firms which have been particularly plagued by thieves.

The cash may also be put towards installing CCTV systems and alarms, improving security lighting or providing better locks for individual shops.

A meeting is due to be help with the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership later this month to discuss the possibilities.

Sean Harris, head of Bolton Council's chief executive support team, said: "The grant is quite a reasonable sum but it's not huge so we will be looking at how we can get the best value from it.

"One possibility is targeting shops which have had a number of break-ins in the past.

"But until we sit down with the police, businesses and council departments, I can't be more specific."

The grant is part of a £15 million crime-busting scheme which aims to improve the security of local shops in deprived areas across the country.

The three-year plan has been targeted at places which fall within England and Wales' 10 per cent most deprived wards.

Home Office Minister John Denham said: "Local shops are at the heart of our communities and when they close, valuable local services are lost.

"By driving out crime, we will be encouraging more people to shop locally, helping to restore pride and prosperity to our communities."

The money will come from the Treasury's Capital Modernisation Fund. The North-west received £470,670.

Cllr Frank White, executive member for Social Inclusion and Health, said: "We're very pleased to be receiving the money and we'll be looking at the best ways to spend it to support the initiatives that we have to protect businesses from crime."