THE final stage of a £200,000 scheme to expand Darlington town centre's closed-circuit television (CCTV) security system is nearing completion.

Earlier this month, six cameras covering the Stanhope Road area of the town were linked to the town hall's closed-circuit television control room.

Phase two of the project involved more cameras being installed in High Northgate.

The new cameras began relaying live pictures to the control room this week.

They are monitored around the clock. Another camera will also be installed in the area before the end of the year.

Since its introduction in 1994, over £1.5 million has been invested in the Darlington CCTV system and has helped police make at least 3,000 arrests.

More than 90 cameras across the town are linked to the CCTV control room.

The cameras transmit full colour pictures and have the capacity to zoom, pan and tilt.

Stephen Harker, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for community protection, said: "The cameras we installed recently in the Stanhope Road area have had an immediate impact and we expect a similar effect in High Northgate.

"This part of the town has a particular problem with street crime and we are confident that the cameras will help to stop this and make people feel safer."