THE way closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras are operated in Thirsk is to be taken up by the town council.

Councillors expressed concern that there is no local telephone number for the public to call operators to target a particular spot. A police spokesman who attended a meeting of the town council's amenity committee said they no longer had any control over camera monitoring, which is carried out by civilians in Northallerton. Councillor Jan Marshall said: "The cameras are not operating as we were led to believe and I will take our concerns to the scrutiny committee and cabinet. We should also alert other parish councils that they have no control any more." Members of the council had offered to man the control room to help pinpoint local areas, but the offer was turned down.

BOOK LAUNCH: Author Gervase Phinn will be at White Rose Books, Thirsk, on October 31 to launch his latest book, Gervase Phinn's Yorkshire, A Pictorial Journey (Dalesman £14.99). He will sign copies between 3pm and 4pm and signed copies may be reserved in advance.

SAFETY FEARS: Primary schools in the Thirsk area are to be asked to speak to pupils about the dangers of playing in the street during the dark nights. Councillor Freda Roberts told a meeting of Thirsk Town Council that she was worried that the children were making themselves vulnerable to motorists.

JAZZ NIGHT: US jazz singer Marilyn Middleton will be performing with the seven-piece Silver Leaf Jazz Band at the Buck Inn, in Thornton Watlass, on the B6268 between Bedale and Masham, on Saturday, October 18. The show starts at 8.30pm. Meals are served in the pub until 9.30pm. Tickets cost £5 from Mike Fox on (01677) 422461.

COUNTRY FAIR: A country fair is to be held at the Middleham Key Centre on Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Entrance is free and parking is available.