CLOSED-circuit TV cameras could be in use as early as December

to help combat crime in Malvern Link and Barnards Green.

Malvern Hills District Council this week submitted planning applications for three cameras in the Green and five in the Link.

The council also wants to replace seven cameras in Great Malvern and add three more in the area.

Dave Hawley, MHDC project officer, said: "We're still on line to get it up and running by April 1 next year but we would like to do it sooner if possible.

"If the planning process and the tendering all goes smoothly, we'd like to be operational by Christmas."

Earlier this year, the council was given a grant of £198,000 by the Home Office to help pay for the camera system. The council has also agreed to find £99,320 to set up the system, plus running costs of about £18,000 a year.

The system will be run jointly with neighbouring Wychavon District Council and will be monitored around the clock from a control room in Pershore, with direct links to Worcester police station

Malvern Link will get five cameras at various locations on Worcester Road between the fire station and the Spring Lane junction. Two of the cameras in the Green will be on or near the traffic island and the other will be on the Geraldine Road junction.

The three new cameras in Great Malvern will cover the new Belle Vue Terrace car park and Waitrose car park.