CRIME-busting CCTV cameras could soon be installed in further New Forest towns.

Lymington, Ringwood and Totton have had them in place for five years and they have proved highly successful in the fight against crime.

Now support for additional cameras has been strengthened by New Forest's top police officer, Chief Superintendent Ann Wakefield, who gave them her blessing provided they are "of the quality that the police could call on for use in a court".

New Forest District Council is now to carry out a feasibility study to see if it is practical within budget constraints to extend coverage to other towns.

The annual cost of operating cameras in the three towns is £466,000.

Any additions would mean an initial investment in new equipment and an increase in annual running costs.

During the past five years the existing CCTV cameras have provided quality evidence to police in 6,117 incidents.

Cllr Goff Beck, the district council's crime and disorder portfolio-holder, said he was not in a position to say which towns and villages might have CCTV, but New Milton, Fordingbridge and Hythe do not have cameras, while Bransgore traders are currently investigating installing them in the village centre.

David Shimpe, clerk to Hythe and Dibden Parish Council, said they were needed in Hythe. The parish council had applied previously, but had missed out and would be asking for them this time around.

Graham Flexman at New Milton Town Council was in favour.

"It's a useful addition when tackling youth nuisance and also with ," he said. "Having a swivelling one like that at Christchurch, at the traffic lights here at Ashley Road and Station Road would be useful. One to start with would be good. And we could extend it to the recreation ground."

Fordingbridge mayor Cllr Alan Lewendon said the town council had discussed it previously and had considered a portable system to be best.