Ledbury's Shopwatch scheme is being hailed as a great success following the close of a trial period which involved 17 retailers.

Len Huff, chairman of the Ledbury Independent Traders Association (LITA), said that only two of the town centre shops taking part in the trial had said they did not wish to carry on with the radio-based system into 2004.

Shopwatch is an early-warning system, by which traders can alert each other to problems such as suspected shoplifters in town.

Mr Huff, owner of The Toybox in the Homend Mews, said there had been three arrests in the trial period, which started on December 1 with the backing of local police.

He said: "The system is absolutely fantastic, so now we are going to rent or buy the radios.

"We want all criminals out there who think that Ledbury is a soft touch to pass on the message. This has been an extremely successful trial."

Retailers now have a choice of buying the radio outright, at a cost of £400, or renting a set for £16 a month.

When there is a suspected problem in town, retailers can pass on messages with the flick of a switch.

Mr Huff said: "You are alerted to the possibility of suspicious customers coming into your shop."

Another advantage of the radios is that they have a panic button which staff can press if they find themselves in an intimidating situation.

Mr Huff said: "The police will come hurrying round."

A new Shopwatch scheme for Newent is also being formed.

A telephone-based scheme has been in operation among town centre retailers for four years, but now Russ Green, chairman of the North Forest Crime Reduction Action Team, is keen to take all Newent businesses on board for a re-vamped system.

Further details will be announced following the group's next meeting, in March.