A PLAN to fit a security camera in a town hall have been scrapped because of the cost.

The management committee of Bedale Hall had wanted to fit the camera to tackle problems of vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

But the plans have been discarded after it emerged that it would cost £20,000, plus £3,000 a year in maintenance, to have the camera linked to Hambleton District Council's system.

The hall already has a camera, but its pictures cannot be used as evidence in court.

Management committee chairman John Noone said: "With vandalism, underage drinking and others problems, there are all kinds of reasons why a camera would be useful.

"To have it linked to the system would make a tremendous difference, but the cost is too prohibitive and there have even been questions about the effectiveness of a separate digital system."