MP Frank Field has put his voice behind a campaign to improve safety and security in Birkenhead town centre ahead of a crucial ballot.

Mr Field has signed up to support plans by Wirral Chamber of Commerce to introduce a Business Improvement District (BID) to the town.

The scheme is being developed with Wirral Council and local firms in a drive to improve the town’s commercial prospects.

Ballot papers have been delievered to all businesses within the zone and voting will commence from November 4.

Mr Field said: "Birkenhead businesses are looking to bring back prosperity and better trading conditions.

"One of the initiatives they will fund is a new plan to improve safety and security not just in the shopping district but also the rest of the town centre including areas such as Hamilton Square and Charing Cross.

“I urge local businesses and traders to support the BID and to help create an environment where our businesses can grow and prosper.”

The UK currently has 200 BID areas, the nearest to the borough being Liverpool and Southport.

They are  funded through a BID levy, a small percentage of a businesses’ rateable value.

The majority of BIDs charge 1% of rateable value, however there are some that have opted for higher levies.

Once a ballot is successful the BID levy is mandatory for all eligible businesses.

The chamber of commerce say the Birkenhead Business Improvement District will "allow for" more than £2m to be invested over the next five years, with local traders and businesses having a say on how money is spent.

The BID will focus on four key areas: Safety and security, clean and attractive environment, marketing and promotion, and supporting businesses.

As part of the drive to address crime and anti-social behaviour the Birkenhead BID will recruit "town centre wardens" who will liaise with police, provide patrols, gather intelligence and add a further security presence in the business district.

BID campaign chairman Alistair Gould, director at Birkenhead-based accountancy firm McEwan Wallace, said: "This summer the BID campaign ran a pilot programme which involved funding 40 hours of police patrols around Hamilton Square.

“Local firms and their employees reported an increased sense of security and a reduction in anti-social behaviour around the square.

"If our BID is successful we will look to develop this pilot programme as well as provide a range of other initiatives to improve Birkenhead town centre."