A BUSINESS association is appealing to businesses and residents to help fund a town’s CCTV system - and said once it is gone it will be gone for good.

Richmond Business and Tourism Association (RBTA) launched Richmond Guardians in an attempt to save CCTV cameras that are under threat of being switched off and dismantled.

But Richmond Guardians will have to raise £25,000 a year for the next three years to keep the CCTV in operation.

Chairman of RBTA Phillip Wicks said: “We are concerned that the reduction in council budgets has resulted in no one being able to pay to keep the CCTV service in Richmond going.

“RBTA is now asking both businesses and households in the town to make a financial commitment to the running costs of the service and so become a Richmond Guardian.”

Richmondshire District Council was due to switch off the cameras as part of a cost-cutting measure on April 1.

But in response to a petition with more than 1,500 signatures - now with almost 3,000 - council bosses gave local businesses more time to find the cash to keep them.

Chris Lightfoot of Keith James Jewellers was one of the first to sign up.

"We contributed towards the original set up costs of the CCTV system and it seems silly that all this investment will be wasted for a few thousand pounds,” he said.

“We have been promoting Richmond Guardians to our customers and have heard some sobering stories of how beneficial the service has been in tackling anti social behaviour."

Owner of Ken Warne’s grocery store Peter Warne organised the petition - which is still gathering names.

”It is really important that the service is not lost and the cameras decommissioned,” he said.

“Richmond is a vibrant market town, which is why we won the accolade of great town of the year in 2009.

“With government and council cuts we have to do even more for ourselves, and to keep the town feeling safe we need to maintain this important service.”

Mr Warne added: “We will be making a substantial contribution – and hope others will also donate what they can."

Mr Wicks added: “The people of Richmond have shown themselves to be extremely community minded and pro-active within the town having raised money for services such as the Station in the past.

“If every household and business in Richmond pledged £1 a week the valuable CCTV can continue.”

Richmond Guardians pledge forms are available from the Tourist Information Centre, Ken Warne’s and Castle Hill Bookshop.

For more information visit www.rbta.org.uk or call 01748-825362.