Cameras could soon be installed in Preston City Council's chamber under a scheme to make democracy more accessible.

Up to three static cameras could be mounted in the chamber and in meeting rooms enabling people to watch the live debates through the council's website.

As part of an e-goverment scheme being promoted by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, councils are required to make recordings of debates or live broadcasts available to the public.

Lancashire County Council already "webcasts" (the new term for internet broadcasting) meetings of the cabinet and full council, as well as the meetings of the authority's regulatory and development control committees.

The site started in 2002, and receives about 500 visits a month, and costs about £70,000 to run or about £11 per visitor.

One of the features is that it zooms in on the person talking and shows their name and title.

Bosses at Preston City Council said that if the scheme went ahead, it would cost much less and be more basic than the county council's.

Coun John Collins, council leader, added: "It would not be as lavish as the one at county, but I think it would be good because people don't often hear the kind of grilling that we get in the council chamber."

Leader of the Conservative group, Coun Ken Hudson, said: "Although it would mainly be for anoraks it would make the council more accessible, and improve the dress and behaviour of some councillors."

Stephen Parkinson, head of communications, who is leading the project, said: "Under the national e-government initiative, the council is required to use the internet to broadcast audio and video on-line.

"Webcasting council meetings is one way of achieving this and we have been consulting the group leaders who have asked us to carry further research on piloting webcasting of meetings."

Coun Mark Alcock, portfolio holder for corporate and support services at South Ribble Borough Council, said the authority was also investigaing the possibility. He added: "We already take decision-making out to local communities through our eight area committees."