TOWN councillors have approved a CCTV scheme for Easingwold's memorial park in an effort to end vandalism.

The system will monitor both the bandstand and children's play area using cameras mounted on the Galtres Centre.

Other schemes, including the bricking-up of the bandstand, were considered, but deemed too costly by members concerned that park has become a focus for antisocial behaviour.

Coun Nigel Knapton said: "Some of the elderly residents living near the park have been concerned about noise levels and vandalism for some time. As the Galtres Centre already has CCTV which has been successful it makes sense to link it up to cover the park."

He said that although many of the youngsters using the bandstand as a meeting place were well-behaved, it was a case of the "few spoiling it for the many".

"Things have been thrown up on to the roof of the bandstand to try and damage the tiles," said Coun Knapton.

"At the end of the day the residents, many of them elderly and living on their own in sheltered accommodation, have had enough."

The cameras, which will cost about £4,000 to install, should be up and running over the next few months.

Updated: 11:53 Friday, January 03, 2003