A PUB has been ordered to instal CCTV cameras after it was refused permission to cut admittance numbers to avoid introducing increased security.

The Cavalier, Tennyson Way, Kidderminster, faces a bill of up to £10,000 for cameras, or cancelling regular weekend music and disco nights because Wyre Forest District Council will not vary its public entertainment licence.

Licensee Bernadette White had applied to reduce the numbers allowed at weekend functions from 200 to 150, a move which would enable it to avoid installing CCTV.

It followed the introduction by the district council last March of a condition issued to premises licensed for 200 or more people that CCTV be installed.

But at this week's meeting of the district licensing and environmental committee, environmental health officer John Clifford said: "The issue here is about the installation of CCTV and it's a matter of principle."

Earlier, Ms White told the meeting she believed the bill for CCTV cameras could reach £10,000. But she said the increased security could not be justified.

She said the maximum number of customers for music evenings was around 100 on a Saturday night and 60 at Sunday discos.

She added she could not see any need for increased security as there had been no real problems since she took over the pub last December.

Solicitor Jon Wallsgrove, acting for Ms White, said there was no objection to the council policy in principle, the application was purely to alleviate the financial burden.

He added: "This is very much a community pub. It's not the case that the entertainment draws people from further afield.

"It simply provides a facility for local customers who already use it."