TOWN centre businesses have heralded a major breakthrough in the battle to beat mindless hooligans and are calling on others to join the fight.

A trial of new CCTV cameras set for Stourport town centre has proved images from the devices are good enough to be used in evidence for cases brought by the police against criminals guilty of wrecking sprees.

There had been doubts whether the £1,000 cameras would be of sufficient quality to be used in evidence in successful prosecutions.

They are set to be installed to catch drunken yobs who have smashed shop windows during rampages in High Street, Bridge Street and other neighbouring roads, and also engaged in fighting and urinating in public.

Stourport Town Centre Management Forum chairman Derek Fradgley said: "Images have been taken from two cameras and both were of sufficient quality. A car numberplate could be read and this is the system used to test the quality.

"We are delighted because it looks as though we're on to a winner with these cameras. We hope to have about 12 in place in the coming months which should now act as a deterrent to these vandals."

He said the forum and Stourport Business Association would part fund the £1,000 cameras, which include a monitor and timelapse video, for any firms that decided to buy one for outside their premises.

Business association chairman Russell Hinton said early indications suggested at least six firms would sign up to the camera system immediately.

Town centre business owners and managers are invited to a specially arranged meeting to see demonstrations of the cameras and discover details of the grants and funding schemes available.

It will be held at Stourport's Swan Hotel, High Street, on Wednesday at 5.30pm.