Thirty five shops in Corby Town Centre are asking customers for thumbprints in a scheme to cut down credit card and cheque fraud.

Customers will be asked to provide a thumb print as well as a signature - in the first scheme of its kind in Northamptonshire.

The idea is to deter potential fraudsters with stolen cards.

Julie Clark, chairman of Corby's Retail Crime Initiative, said the thumbprint is a good security precaution.

"We have had a good reception from customers," she said.

"A lot of people understand that times are changing and it is a precaution and a deterrent to credit card and cheque fraud."