AN innovative scheme that will bring more crime-busting security cameras to parts of Darlington will be completed in the New Year.

A new service provided for its neighbouring authority is bringing in revenue, which will be invested in more cameras and pay for staff.

Operators at Darlington Borough Council are to monitor the seven closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras watching over Crook town centre from the control room in the town hall.

In November they started controlling eight cameras in Bishop Auckland as part of an undisclosed deal with Wear Valley District Council.

Darlington's CCTV manager Graham Putt said: "This has come about because of the reputation we have for looking for new opportunities.

"The money is to be ploughed back into the system so we can continue to roll it out further in the town.

"We started with 35 cameras in the town centre and focused on car parks and that has virtually eliminated car crime.

"We have got on top of the situation so it has given more freedom to expand it."

This year cameras have been installed in South Park, North Lodge Park, Eastbourne Park, Alderman Crooks Park and North Cemetery. Residential areas of the town are also benefiting from the system with cameras covering the Firthmoor Estate, Stanhope Road and Northgate.

Darlington has 105 cameras operated by 16 workers who monitor up to 40 screens from the town centre base.

The scheme was launched ten years ago following a £750,000 investment by the council.

Since then a further £750,000 has been invested, which has mainly come from a series of Central Government grants.

Councillor John Williams, Darlington Borough Council leader, said: "The success of our CCTV system has been widely recognised.

"Its impact has been appreciated by the Home Office which has provided substantial grants that have allowed us to extend the system to residential areas and also into parks and cemeteries.

"Other local authorities around the country regularly visit and contact us to find out how it should be done. We have even had calls from local authorities overseas asking our advice.

"Ten years on and closed-circuit television is a great success and something we plan to continue to develop."