POLICE tackling crime in remote rural areas have received a boost.

About two-thirds of the 300-plus farms across the district have signed up to Durham Constabulary's Farmwatch scheme, in Derwentside in less than six months.

It links farmers to each other and police to track the movements of suspicious vehicles and share information on crime and vandalism.

But officers running the project were finding it difficult to access villages such as Edmundbyers, Muggleswick and Cornsay in police cars.

EW Motor Services, which has outlets in Consett and Hexham, Northumberland, has now donated a £23,000 Mitsubishi Shogun 4x4 vehicle.

It has been liveried with the force crest and Farmwatch logos on the side panels.

PC Dave Telford, who runs Farmwatch with PC Alan Patterson, said: "Having the vehicle is making a huge difference to us."

David Soulsby, from the garage, handed over the vehicle this week. "I live on a farm near Consett and grew up around farms," he said. "I know how important it is that the police have the right tools, so I was keen to help them carry out their jobs in and around Derwentside."

For details on Farmwatch, call Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator, Brian Donkin on 07768 724991, or Sergeant Peter Dawson on 0191-375 2455.