POLICE have been given £10,000 to launch a campaign to fight crime in two North-East farming valleys.

The cash, coupled with a deal with a security company, will pay for extra protection for 500 farms in Teesdale and Weardale.

Machinery, vehicles, trailers, quad bikes and other property on the farms will be treated with SmartWater, an invisible fluid which can identify the owners of stolen items.

The project was announced yesterday after 20 burglaries in the past two weeks from sheds, garages and outbuildings in Teesdale, mainly in Cockfield, Staindrop, Gainford and Winston.

Inspector Kevin Tuck, of Barnard Castle Police, said, "After this annoying spate of break-ins, we are delighted with this new initiative as we are sure it will reduce rural crime.

"Thieves are likely to stay away from Teesdale and Weardale once they know of this blanket coverage."

The SmartWater firm usually charges £90 for treatment at each location but has reduced it to £20 to enable 500 farms to be included.

The project will be launched at the Farm Watch meeting, in Hamsterley, on February 27.