SEVEN closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras were unveiled as part of a crime-busting initiative in Skelton, east Cleveland, yesterday.

The £71,000 scheme, funded by the Government's Single Regeneration Budget (SRB), is the first of its kind in the area. Similar initiatives are also planned for Saltburn and Guisborough over the next month.

The cameras - two in the High Street and one each at Wykeham Court, Whitby Close, the Annandale Hotel, the Civic Centre and De Brus School - will record 24 hours-a-day and are linked to a control centre.

The scheme is the result of cooperation between Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, the SRB, and Cleveland Police, and has been welcomed by the town's business association.

Councillor Dave McLuckie, chairman of the Skelton SRB Executive Group and the council's lead member for community safety, said: "The benefit of CCTV has been proven in other areas, and I'm confident it will be a success in Skelton.

"The objective is to help reduce crime and the fear of crime, as well as incidents of anti-social behaviour. We also hope the scheme protects local businesses and encourages regeneration investment into the area."