RETAILERS at one of Southampton's biggest housing estates are to receive a £20,000 security boost from the Home Office.

The money will be used to upgrade surveillance cameras, install security doors and windows and improve lighting at trouble hotspots.

The money from the Home Office crime Reduction Fund for Small Retailers in Deprived Areas was announced by Home Secretary David Blunkett.

A total of £15m has been set aside by the government, which will be spent over the next three years throughout England and Wales.

The bid for Southampton's share of the money was submitted by Bob Reeve, the regeneration community safety co-ordinator.

He is working to improve community safety by reducing crime and disorder in the Outer Shirley regeneration area in various ways, including suporting local retailers in improving security at their premises.

Mr Reeve says the money will be allocated to retailers in the form of grants to help them complete the security work they consider is most needed.

He said: "I will invite small retailers to apply for a share of this funding which can be spent on a wide range of security initiatives such as upgrading CCTV systems, installing security doors and windows and improving lighting.

"Retailers will be asked to make a ten per cent contribution from their own pockets to each project.

"In addition to the £20,000 that we have received today from the government, I am going to be putting forward a bid for a further £20,000 from the Outer Shirley Regeneration Board so that we will have a substantial pot of money with which to help local retailers make a real difference to improving security."

The city council's cabinet member for communities and regeneration, Councillor Liz Mizon, said the announcement is good news for the local community.

She added: "I'm delighted that this money is to be made available to help local retailers in trouble hotspots in Outer Shirley to take additional precautions to try and reduce crime and improve the safety of both their property and their staff."