WEST Somerset residents are being asked to put pen to paper to pledge their support for CCTV schemes in a bid to help the region get a share of millions of pounds of Government funding.

Local authorities throughout the country have been busy formulating applications to put in bids for cash to help fight crime in each of their own districts.

However, they had all been working to a deadline of March 2002, but in the last few weeks the Government has brought the deadline forward by 15 months to December 22 this year.

No reason has been given for the change, but now local authorities are faced with having to organise public consultation meetings before the deadline looms.

In order to qualify for funding, authorities must prove they have consulted people living in their districts and can provide evidence to show that residents want close circuit television in their towns.

Inspector Rod Price, of Minehead police, said it was vital anyone who felt CCTV schemes helped to combat crime put their views in writing as soon as possible.

He said: "We must demonstrate to the Home Office that we have consulted with the community, so if anyone thinks CCTV is a good idea we're asking them to write and tell us."

West Somerset District Council is planning to hold a series of public consultation meetings in the next few weeks to explain more about the CCTV project.

However, at this stage, no towns or streets have been specifically earmarked as possible places to site CCTV cameras in West Somerset.

The district council will first have to try and win a share of Government funding before calling on people to let them know where and why they would like to see cameras put around the district.

Anyone who would like to write and pledge their support for CCTV schemes should send their letters to the local CCTV funding co-ordinator, Joy Norris, at West Somerset District Council, Williton, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 4QA.