COUNCILLORS hope to make sure Middlewich takes its fair share of a county-wide policing opportunity.

Cheshire Constabulary is aiming to introduce an additional 274 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) across the county by 2008 - bringing the total up to 353 - and has asked Middlewich Town Council to consider funding an extra officer in the town.

Clr Alison Roylance-White said: "My own view is that I support PCSOs, having spent a lot of time talking to police as they strolled around at the Folk and Boat Festival where their presence was excellent.

"We may be able to afford one from January - it's an option for the future and as a council we should be supporting it."

Information sent to the council states that the Home Office will provide 65 per cent of funding for each PCSO, leaving town and parish councils to cover the remaining £11,000 for each officer.

Clr Paul Edwards said the council could look at other options to help with funding, such as schools and pubs, as the PCSO would support many aspects of town life.

He said: "We're not just limited to the town council providing funds as there are other partners in the community."

He added: "The more PCSOs here the better for the town. They cut down problems of anti-social behaviour in adults and younger adults, not just children.

"They want to get 353 PCSOs into Cheshire and we should take our own share of that."

Councillors will investigate their funding options more thoroughly before bringing the issue back to the town council.