THE fight against vandalism has taken a high-tech turn in an attempt to protect a town's memorial park.

Councillors in Easingwold have approved a closed-circuit surveillance scheme, which will monitor the bandstand and children's play area using cameras mounted on the Galtres Centre.

Other schemes, including the bricking-up of the bandstand, were considered, but deemed too costly by members, who were concerned that park has become a focus for antisocial behaviour.

Councillor Nigel Knapton said: "Some elderly residents living near the park have been concerned about noise levels and vandalism for some time.

"As the Galtres Centre already has CCTV, which has been successful, it makes sense to link it up to cover the park."

He said that although many of the youngsters using the bandstand as a meeting place were well behaved, it was a case of the few spoiling it for the many.

"Things have been thrown up on to the roof of the bandstand to try to damage the tiles," he said.

"At the end of the day the residents, many of them elderly and living on their own in sheltered accommodation, have had enough."

The cameras, which will cost about £4,000 to install, should be in operation within a few months.