Cornwall's crime-fighting network of CCTV cameras could be switched off as the unitary authority looks to cuts costs in the face of massive Government budget cuts.

The drastic measure is one of a number of options being investigated by Cornwall Council which monitors 161 cameras in 14 towns across the county.

The network costs around £785,000-a-year to operate, with £634,000 coming from Cornwall Council and £151,000 from various town councils.

Cornwall councillor Andrew Wallis who attended a recent "inquiry day" at County Hall where the issue was discussed, said all options remained open.

"There has been a review of the value of CCTV, basically looking at it with an open mind to see how to spend this money better," Mr Wallis explained. "Almost £800,000 of taxpayers money is spent on this system, do we get any prosecutions from it?"

Mr Wallis, an independent who represents Porthleven and Helston, said he believed that Devon and Cornwall Police, as the greatest beneficiaries, should contribute financially to the running of the system.

"We can keep the status quo, look to other sources of funding or switch it off," he added. "That's what it comes down to. We could switch it off completely, or in part.

"Doing that in Newquay might be a different ball game but down we need it in Camborne and Callington?"

Another option may be to transfer the responsibility to town councils to take on running local systems, and meet the cost through their precept - part of the overall council tax bill.

Liskeard Mayor Tony Powell said the unitary council had already "failed to consult" them on the future of CCTV. Liskeard Town Council paid for its own system seven years ago and contributes around £20,000 to the annual running costs.

"They are making decisions with money that is ours, not theirs," Mr Powell said. "What it seems to be coming down to, is that if towns want this service then they will have to pay it themselves."

Images from Liskeard's cameras are currently monitored in the South East Cornwall town. Coun Powell cautioned against it being centralised in Truro saying "only a moron" would believe that police would drive 40 miles to examine the footage.

A Cornwall Council spokesman said no decisions would be made until further investigation had been carried out, as requested by councillors.

"No decision on the future of CCTV provision and funding has been taken by Cornwall Council," he said. "The Cabinet will consider options for the future provision as part of the budget process. These options will be informed by the recommendations of the Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee."