KENNET'S Community Safety Partnership has decided to defer a bid for funding to install a closed circuit TV system in Ludgershall and Tidworth because a government deadline gave them insufficient time to carry out a full feasibility study.

It had also proved impossible to consult residents and businesses in time about the scheme which would also cover Pewsey, Devizes and Marlborough.

In a statement, the partnership, which includes the police, county and district council and the health authority, said it remains committed to exploring the scheme.

"However, it would be unwise to proceed with a bid before a full study has been undertaken - all the options explored and the public consultation process completed," the group's statement said.

"Initial indications are that the annual running costs of a CCTV system in the five towns would be in the region of £250,000 a year.

"This is clearly a significant sum of money.

"This is not funded by central government and would equate to an increase in the council tax of £8 throughout Kennet.

"The partners have to be sure that such expenditure would be cost effective.

"It is understood that further government funding may be available in the future, by which time appropriate investigations will have been concluded. The residents who have to meet the running cost will have to be consulted."

At a recent meeting in Ludgershall, however, Inspector Bill Dowding told county councillors, district councillors and parish council chairmen that the costs could be much less than the figure quoted because other organisations which already operate control rooms could become involved.

"The cameras could even be monitored abroad as it doesn't matter where they are monitored," he said at the meeting.

It is important for the operators to be skilled, able to zoom in on possible crimes and have the ability to contact police swiftly.