CCTV cameras in Wellington town centre are to be upgraded to help fight crime at a cost of about £20,000 - almost 18 months since councillors agreed to fund the project.

Councillors agreed in April of last year to meet the cost of converting four of the town’s six cameras from analogue to digital, with Somerset Council paying for the other two.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary Sgt Jon O’Connor told councillors how good quality CCTV images were ‘critical’ in helping the police to bring criminals to justice.

Now, town council chief executive Dave Farrow has told councillors the unitary authority has finally awarded a contract for the upgrading work.

But, Mr Farrow said no timescale had been given for completing the work.

Mr Farrow said £17,200 had been set aside for the four cameras for which the town council was paying, based on previous quotes provided by the county authority.

He said: “As it stands, the cost of replacing the four cameras exceeds £17,200, but Somerset Council has agreed to cover the difference.”

Town councillors have also recently agreed to install CCTV cameras in Wellington Park following repeated spates of vandalism to buildings and flower beds.

They took ownership of the park from Somerset Council in April of this year.

Councillors set aside a £35,000 budget for the park cameras, which they wanted to see installed as soon as possible.

However, they recognised that planning permission might be needed because of the Edwardian park’s grade two heritage status.

Part of the cost of the cameras would be met by saving money from a decision to discontinue the locking and unlocking of the park every evening and morning.

Police previously told councillors that they had sufficient powers available to be able to remove people from the park at night if there was any trouble.