RESIDENTS and shop owners in Great Ayton have welcomed the news that closed circuit television cameras are to be installed in the centre of the village.

Hambleton District Council cabinet approved an extension of its CCTV system to include two new cameras at High Green.

Councillors agreed to release £17,000 from the 2006-07 budget to fund the installation at Great Ayton and two cameras at Easingwold.

Great Ayton was rocked by violent scenes in August, when two girls were injured in a brawl involving 50 youths and five shops were vandalised.

Richard Thompson, owner of Thompson's Hardware in Great Ayton, was one of those who called for CCTV. His store has been damaged by vandals four times in the last three years.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted. They will be in the right place and I think two is enough for starters. I'm sure it will work

"The only concern I have is when it comes into operation and what happens between then and now. It's all very well saying we are going to get them, but it's two years away."

Coun June Imeson, the chairman of the district council and a member of Great Ayton Parish Council, also expressed her delight that the CCTV scheme was being extended.

She said: "As leader of the council, I promised to put CCTV in all the market towns and Great Ayton as the largest village.

"It looked as if Great Ayton and Easingwold might miss out, but they have not."

She added: "The parish council held one of its regular meetings with the local police and shopkeepers last week, and everyone was pleased that it was coming in."