The man behind a scheme to make Melton the country's first Neighbourhood Watch town has appealed for help to make it happen.

Retired businessman Eric Tindall, 63, aims to have the whole town covered by the end of this year.

Mr Tindall, who was named Leicestershire Police's Volunteer of the Year last year, has already signed up 250 co-ordinators, covering the southern half of the town.

He has co-ordinators in about 20 per cent of streets in the north of the town.

He said: "At the moment, I'm riding the bike solo. I'd like to make it a tandem.

"Having a second person on board would get the job done twice as fast.

"The scheme is stronger now than it's ever been and I am looking for someone else to join this successful project.

"I want to help the police achieve their aim of having a crime-free town and I'm looking for someone who can help me recruit co-ordinators.

"I'm not running out of steam by any stretch of the imagination but I'd like to turn that 20 per cent of streets in the north to 100 per cent as quickly as I can."

To volunteer, call the police's non-emergency 101 number and leave a message for collar number 5907.

Alternatively, e-mail:

NHW_Melton@btinternet.com