IF you live almost anywhere in North Somerset then your home now features on Google.

The American computer giant last week rolled out its 360-degree street level imagery programme Street View across 95 per cent of Britain, and now has its sights set on the next step - private property.

Since releasing Street View pictures of 25 cities including Bristol this time last year, Google has mapped a further 210,000 miles of public UK road, and North Somerset is now included.

Clevedon, Portishead, Nailsea, Yatton, Congresbury, Backwell, Wraxall, Failand, Tickenham, Kenn, Pill, Portbury, Churchill, Hewish and Weston are among the towns and villages featured, so most people searching Street View will be able to see where they live.

Next, Google wants to capture national parks and landmarks, and has already taken pictures of many.

This additional coverage is on an invitation-only basis, with companies and associations able to invite Google to photograph their property, parkland or pedestrianised areas.

Google spokesman Laura Scott said: "Through the Google Street View Partner Program people can invite us to go off the beaten track."

Clevedon Pier manager Linda Strong said she would be taking up the offer.

She said: "This exciting and new technology is a huge boost to charities like Clevedon Pier.

"Anything that puts us on the map is beneficial to us and local businesses."

But this means there is more opportunity for people to be pictured as well.

Privacy concerns were raised when Google first launched the service in 2007, but the UK Information Commissioner's office ruled in August 2008 that adequate safeguards were in place to protect people's privacy.

Google blurs out car number plates and people's faces and will remove pictures on request.

Police have played down fears of an increase in burglaries. Nationally, burglary rates have been declining in recent years, and Graeme Gerrard, of the Association of Chief Police Officers, does not believe the further coverage on Street View will alter this.

Do you have a story about Google Street View or do you have concerns about privacy? If so, write to Mercury Mailbag at the usual address or post your comments on www.thisisclevedon. co.uk.