SECURITY cameras in Todmorden are to be extended.

Calderdale Council have agreed to pay the full costs for Todmorden Town Council and Hebden Bridge installing their CCTV security equipment.

The decision was described as "very good news" by the Todmorden Town Clerk, Mrs Catherine Emberson, who confirmed the town council had accepted recommendations from the CCTV sub-committee about future maintenance costs and for future budgets.

Members agreed to set a budget of £17,500 for the next financial year, and that EFT Systems Ltd be appointed as service contractors. A budget of £17,500 was set for the year 2007-08 to cover town centre security.

The five cameras in Todmorden were installed just over 12 months ago at a cost of more than £77,000 and while Calderdale councillors agreed in March last year to pay the costs of installing CCTV equipment in Todmorden and Hebden Bridge, the figures were only agreed by the Calderdale cabinet this month.

A report to Calderdale Council says that more than £350,000 needs to be spent upgrading Calderdale's security cameras, and a new monitoring centre will also be required from November and a rigorous review of camera positions and their effectiveness.

Calderdale Council's head of housing and community service, Mark Thompson, says in his report to members: "Another consideration is the use of mobile cameras which are becoming more reliable and practical.

"We need to aim for a high-quality standard of equipment and monitoring if Calderdale is to derive maximum benefit."

Consultants have drawn up a 100-page report on security cameras in Calderdale, which recommends that £120,000 should be spent on new camera equipment over three-year period, taking into account the expected improved picture transmission and monitoring.