COUNCILLORS are to increase car parking charges to pay for a new CCTV system in Clitheroe and Whalley.

Ribble Valley Borough Council has secured £572,151 in funding from funds made available under the Crime Reduction Programme, with a further £72,000 to come from the council itself and Lancashire County Council for the scheme in Clitheroe.

The scheme will involve the replacement of eight existing cameras in Clitheroe town centre, with an extra eight being posted around the town, including in car parks, and four in the grounds of Clitheroe Castle.

The five cameras at the Clitheroe bus and rail interchange will be linked to the scheme, with new cameras being placed in Edisford and Whalley, along with three mobile CCTV units which will patrol the whole of the Ribble Valley.

But members of the council's Policy and Finance Committee heard that although the cost of the cameras, ducting and installation could be paid for by the Government, annual running costs will have to be paid for by the council -- to the tune of around £64,225 per annum.

And they agreed that although annual donations will be received from organisation including Clitheroe Chamber of Trade, Whalley Chamber of Trade, Lancashire Police and Whalley shop Frames and Pictures, the council will raise the bulk of the extra cash by putting up parking charges at several car parks.

Motorists will now see a 10p increase at car parks at Railway View, Lowergate, Clitheroe Market, Chester Avenue and Edisford, which would bring in around £26,000 a year.

Coun Howel Jones (Clitheroe) said: "Under seven per cent of the revenue comes from Clitheroe Chamber of Trade and Lancashire Police and we are having to find the bulk of the money."