MORE than 8,000 people have voted with their computer keys to make a success of an experiment in democracy.

The 8,419 citizens have clicked to watch two live webcasts of meetings of Lancashire County Council's Cabinet.

Four web cameras, complete with sound equipment, were installed at County Hall in August to increase public participation in council business.

People can watch the meetings then email the councillors to say what they think of what went on.

Hazel Harding, the county council leader, said: "It is the size of a football crowd and far more than we expected. We could never get that many into County Hall.

"We hope the number will grow further. It is all part of the Modernising Local Government agenda to bring local authorities closer to the people."

Lancashire was the first in the North West to introduce the cameras. Now their use could be extended to other council meetings and those of Lancashire Youth Parliament.

Coun Harding added: "All local authorities have been told to open up and we also plan to hold public meetings where the public can quiz Cabinet members.

"There could also be surgeries in town centres and supermarkets. Webcast meetings of the Youth Parliament could be of particular interest to schools."

Meetings can be viewed by pressing the webcast button on the council's homepage - www.lancashire.gov.uk