SECURITY cameras are to be installed at more than 40 bus stops in Darlington in an attempt to tackle vandalism.

The scheme, believed to be the first of its kind in the North-East, is part a green initiative launched by Darlington Borough Council to encourage more people to leave their cars at home and use public transport.

Thirty-five bus stops in rural areas of the borough and ten bus stops in the town are to be fitted with anti-vandal, closed-circuit television cameras.

The cameras, which will be powered by solar energy in the rural areas, will record and store images around the clock.

The project, which will begin later this month, will cost £130,000 and will include improvements to lighting, passenger information and refurbishment of all 45 bus stops.

Coun Nick Wallis, Darlington council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Sustainable transport is about providing people with a range of travel options other than the motor car. Our research tells us that people are discouraged from using public transport if facilities are poor.

"It's so important that bus stops are well lit, look clean and are in a good state of repair.

"We also have to ensure that travel information is accurate and easy to understand. Most of our bus stops are safe but they can still be targets for vandals. The closed-circuit television cameras will help give people extra reassurance and cut vandalism because they are a proven deterrent for vandals."

Funding will come from the council's Local Transport Plan budget and from the Government's Rural Bus Challenge grant. Work to install the cameras is expected to take about two months.

* A village school near Darlington may get security cameras after being targeted by vandals for the third time in a matter of weeks. Eight windows were smashed at Hurworth Primary School, last weekend. Head Mark Allinson is to propose to governors that closed-circuit television cameras be installed.