A STREET camera group in North Yorkshire has received a boost with a sponsorship deal.

The North Yorkshire CCTV User Group has struck a deal with CCTV market leader Fujifilm.

The consortium involving local authorities, Catterick Garrison and the police was set up to improve standards of primary monitoring of CCTV across the North Yorkshire area. The new sponsorship deal will see the brand leader sponsor the CCTV Operator of the Year Award 2003.

Project manager John Bolton said: "We are delighted to have such a major name as Fujifilm involved with our project. With the help of their generous sponsorship we will be able to reward our region's best CCTV operator."

The award will be given to the operator who consistently achieves a high level of professional performance, or for the exceptional monitoring of a specific incident. The winner will be presented with a silver salver and £600 in holiday vouchers at a ceremony to be held at police headquarters at Northallerton on April 7.

Updated: 09:33 Wednesday, March 26, 2003