WORK to install CCTV cameras in Trowbridge town centre is set to start in January.

Trowbridge Town Council has awarded the contract to install the system to TH White in Devizes, which put in the Chippenham and Calne schemes.

Mayor Jeff Osborn said: "We have a £260,000 grant from the Home Office and this is well within budget and we hope to be able to do some extra work.

"We hope the system will be up and running by the beginning of April. We are well on the way to hitting our target of making an inroad into the perception and fear of crime and hitting anti social behaviour."

The firm is due to start work on January 3 and it is hoped the system will be up and running by the beginning of April.

The plan is for 13 fixed cameras, linked to a control room, monitoring key areas in the town 24 hours a day.

The money will also pay for a person to monitor the system.

The bid for funding was submitted by the Trowbridge Area Community Safety Group, a partnership of councils, agencies, organisations and individuals.

It is thought that the scheme could lead to a 16 per cent drop in crime levels within a year.