A MEETING will be held next month to try and set up a Shopwatch scheme in Upton.

Around 60 traders have shown an interest in the initiative and will meet in the Memorial Hall at 7pm on Tuesday, December 11.

It is hoped to get it up and running by Christmas.

The scheme would involve a network of telephone contacts between local shops, allowing traders to alert each other to the presence of suspicious characters in the town.

Each shopkeeper would have special forms to hand, enabling them to quickly record descriptions and circulate them around neighbouring shops.

This procedure would also provide the police with a "first description", which would help with identification in the event of a prosecution.

Any trader interested in joining the scheme who has not yet been contacted, should ring Bill Dovey, of the Tourism and Trade Association, on 01684 594378.