A CONTROVERSIAL £600,000 CCTV system in the Ribble Valley is to have an additional three cameras after the project ran under budget.

But one borough councillor critical of the scheme today accused the council of using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Nine CCTV cameras installed in Clitheroe town centre in 1994 have been replaced and an additional 11 cameras erected in Clitheroe and Whalley, including four in the grounds of Clitheroe Castle.

There are also three "roving" cameras for use at trouble hotspots and now a further three static cameras are to be installed in Moor Lane, Parson Lane and Chatburn Road, all in Clitheroe town centre.

The cash for the additional three cameras -- bringing the total to 26 -- has come from the Government after the capital spend on the project was under budget.

But Coun Allan Knox, who represents the St James's ward of Clitheroe, is calling for the effectiveness of the system to be monitored.

Coun Knox has also expressed concern that the system is now expected to cost £72,000 a year to run, as opposed to the original estimate of £50,000, after it lost some grant subsidies.

"Local council taxpayers are going to be stuck with the running costs of this system. We don't have the level of crime in Clitheroe to warrant this spend and we are using a sledgehammer to crack a nut," he added. The project was spearheaded by Ribble Valley Council chief engineer Graham Jagger, who said the system had been running very well, since its launch in January.

"We kept well within the original budget and asked the Government if we could use the additional money to extend the scheme with a further three cameras at strategic points in Clitheroe town centre.

"We might not have the crime problems of neighbouring towns and cities, but the Ribble Valley does attract travelling criminals and these cameras are keeping us safe. We are extremely pleased with the project so far," he said.

Insp Bob Ford of Clitheroe Police said the system had boosted crime prevention in the Ribble Valley and welcomed news of the additional three cameras.

"The system is coming into its own particularly on Friday and Saturday nights in Clitheroe town centre.

"This is a superb system and a boost to crime prevention in the Ribble Valley," he said.

Ribble Valley Council leader Chris Holtom said the system would be monitored 24 hours a day and findings reported every three months to meetings of the council's police forum group.