A STATE-of-the-art CCTV system zooms into action in Swanage this week.

The installation close to Swanage tourist information centre will cover the seafront and surrounding areas. Civic chiefs are pinning their hopes on the new system bringing an end to years of misery caused by repeated vandalism and rowdy gangs of youths.

The sophisticated equipment totalling an estimated £15,000 has the capability of clearly picking out faces without blurring or distortion.

It can pan around and zoom in on details 24 hours a day with movements either recorded on tape or monitored directly by police.

Mayor of Swanage, Cllr Gary Suttle, said: "This particular equipment is very state-of-the-art so there is absolutely no question of blurring.

"It has taken four years of trying hard to get people to go along with it and we have worked with the police throughout to make sure that what we provide is what they want to see."

Local businesses contributed £10,000 towards the scheme, with a large proportion donated by Harrow House.

Cllr Gloria Marsh, chairman of the South Purbeck Crime Prevention Panel, said: "CCTV is going to make a great difference.

"People have been very frightened. When you get crowds on the seafront - whether of youngsters or older people - it does tend to put people off which is the last thing we want. We are trying to encourage people to visit Swanage, especially now it is part of a World Heritage Site, so hopefully this will help."