Totton is to be provided with an extra CCTV camera in a bid to combat antisocial behaviour near a town centre supermarket.

Asda has vowed to meet half the cost of a £25,000 camera and New Forest Council is likely to come up with the rest of the cash.

Town clerk Derek Biggs said several cases of vandalism and graffiti had occurred near the Asda store in Maynard Road.

He added: "The district council doesn't have sufficient money to pay for a CCTV camera, but Asda is willing to put £12,000 towards the scheme and I'm told there's a good chance that the council will come up with the rest."

The scheme was unveiled at a meeting of the town council's Policy and Resources Committee.

Members who supported the scheme included Di Brooks, who highlighted the ways in which Asda helped schools and charities in the Totton area.

"They do a heck of a lot for this town," she said.

Other councillors also supported the principle of a camera near the store, but expressed concern about the way the scheme would be funded.

Former council chairman David Harrison said: "I don't think it would be appropriate for public money to be spent on enhancing the security of a commercial organisation.

"If the camera covered a public area, I might have slightly less of a reservation."

Mr Biggs stressed that the camera would be owned by the district council and linked to its CCTV control centre at Lyndhurst.

Asda said it wanted to help tackle the problem of antisocial behaviour in Totton by increasing the CCTV coverage in the town centre.

A company spokesman commented: "The plan to provide an extra camera is not the result of anything specific that has happened outside our store."

The equipment is likely to be installed near the car park at the western end of the supermarket.