STATE-of-the-art security cameras provided by a Warrington CCTV firm are set to be installed at railway stations across Scotland.

Appleton Thorn-based Remguard Visual Management has been given the all-clear to fit its NetVu Vantage systems in more than 80 waiting rooms and platforms north of the border, Guardian Business can reveal.

Scotrail was pleased enough with the results of a two-month trial at Dunfermline Station to ink the deal with the Arley Road outfit.

Up to 64 cameras could be fitted at some of the larger stations, such as Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Each will be linked via an ISDN line to Scotrail's headquarters in Paisley, allowing up-to-the-minute video and sound links with every station under the transport giant's control.

Using the Netvu system, security managers are able to view live and pre-recorded footage from a number of terminals simultaneously.

And for passengers, the cameras are fitted with triggers, giving an audio and visual link with security officials. Help points are also set to be established as part of the same initiative.

Jim Anderson, Scotrail's CCTV project manager, said: "The new system will enable the constant monitoring of our stations from one central location.

"The information it provides will play an integral part in helping us to maintain station security and passenger safety throughout the region."

Part of a rolling programme, the system should be in place by the end of 2004.