CCTV cameras could be installed outside an historic former grammar school currently used as a vital community hub.

Plans have been lodged to install three CCTV cameras at the grade-II listed former Whalley Royal Grammar School in Whalley, which is currently utilised as a community hub by groups in the area.

There have been several instances of vandalism, particularly to the pre-school garden area and governors have decided that security needs to be ramped up to protect the building.

The building, which dates back to 1725, was used as a grammar school for boys until 1910 and has since been used as a library, a HQ for the Women’s Institute, a theatre and an adult education centre.

A design and access statement submitted as part of the application reads: “The hall area has been used by Whalley pre-school since 1969.

“The building was used as a school up until 1910 since when it has had multiple uses the latest being as a community centre.

“The building is set in its own grounds and the proposal is for the installation of three CCTV cameras housed within boxes matching the surrounding wall.

“The boxes are intended to minimise the visual intrusion of the cameras that are being introduced to improve the security of the building and its users.”