VANDALS trying to wreck new computer kiosks installed to keep people in contact with Lancashire County Council face being caught it the act.

The council today revealed all of its LINKS -- Lancashire Information Network Kiosk Service -- were being fitted with cameras to deter vandals.

The move comes more than a year after the machines were launched and as plans were unveiled to site more of the kiosks around the county, including at Colne Market Hall, Gisburn Festival Hall as well as at county information centres in Chorley, Nelson and Accrington.

People using the machine can access more than 7,000 'pages' of information from Lancashire County Council as well material provided by Crimestoppers and the NHS, who provide users with information so they can diagnose their ailments without going to a hospital.

The aim is to provide more than 500 so-called portals in the county in locations such as supermarkets, police stations, health centres, hospitals and even pubs.

But now cameras are being fitted to allow officers to actually talk to the people using the service -- and help them take pictures of people who vandalise the machines.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said: "This scheme is being watched very closely across the country and is breaking new ground.

"It is providing people living in rural communities with the chance to get the information they need on things like entitlements in an easy-to-use way using a touch screen. "The uses for this scheme are limitless. And it is a major step forward to have cameras installed. It will mean members of the community can to talk to someone in authority from the kiosk and they will be able to see each other."

The cameras are dubbed 'minders' and were introduced after pilot kiosks in North Lancashire came under attack. He added: "It will also act as a deterrent if these machines are targeted by vandals.

"The machines also have a shock-absorbing system to withstand damage if they come under attack, which we appreciate could happen.

"If the screen is banged hard, the camera will take a photo of the offender which can then be used to find them if a lot of damage is caused.

"The minder also monitors the screen to make sure it isn't locking up. If it does, we relaunch the PC at base to make sure it is working as quickly as possible."

The machine are currently located at venues including Beacon Fell Visitors Centre, Slaidburn Hark to Bounty Pub, Knowle Green Village Hall, and Chipping Village Hall.

They are also at Brierfield Bus Stop (near the Town Hall), Colne Leisure Centre, Nelson Town Hall, Barnoldswick Library and the New Era Centre, Accrington.