STATE of the art CCTV cameras are being put in Barnoldswick and Earby, but they will not be monitored all the time.

West Craven councillors have put together nearly £300,000 for the scheme in response to fears of vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

But Coun Rosemary Carroll has questioned whether the money was being spent wisely because Earby police shop is manned part-time only and so no one would be around to watch what was happening on the cameras.

The area's development team leader Scott Whalley has said the point of the cameras is to gather evidence, rather than spot crime as it happens.

He said: "Although the cameras will be unmanned for the majority of the time, they will be recording 24 hours a day.

"Any incidents that happen will be recorded and we can go straight to that bit of the tape."

Councillors have pinpointed 12 possible sites for cameras in Barnoldswick and eight in Earby.

But the number of cameras will depend on the final cost of the scheme.

The cameras can be programmed to focus on different areas and monitoring equipment will be at Barnoldswick police station and Earby police shop.