A major cash handout from the Government could pay for security cameras in Otley.

The Home Office has announced it is to spend £150 million on the setting up of thousands of closed-circuit television schemes across the country.

And now Otley's MP, Harold Best, is to talk to crime-fighting groups in the town and surrounding communities about whether they could be in line for a slice of the cash.

The announcement has been welcomed by Otley town councillor and chairman of Otley Town Partnership Councillor Phil Coyne.

Coun Coyne, a supporter of CCTV, said: "There is no doubt it contributes to peoples' sense of security and that is quite important for a town centre like Otley."

He added the cameras would have to be sited sensitively so they do not ruin the look of the town centre's conservation area.

"We would not need an enormous number of cameras to cover the town centre and could put cameras at known trouble spots," said Coun Coyne.

The town's Chamber of Trade and Commerce would also like to see CCTV installed and already has a £200 donation from Superdrug to go towards the cost of a system.

Mr Best (Lab, Leeds North West) said: "This money will be welcomed by my constituents as a way of supporting the police and local councils in tackling local crime and disorder.

"I will be speaking to them to see if we should be applying for some of the money that is available."

Mr Best added that CCTV could significantly reduce crime by frightening off criminals and helping police by supplying evidence.

"It deters criminals, helps the police and others bring offenders to justice and reduces people's fear of crime," he said.

Around half of the £150 million announced by Home Secretary Jack Straw will be invested in residential areas. The rest will go on town centres and car parks, including those at bus and railway stations.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.