One camera is on a pole to the right of the clock

Machynlleth was awarded �25,000 by the Welsh Assembly's Communities First project to set up two surveillance cameras in the town in October 2001.

The system was supposed to be working by March 2002, but a series of problems meant the project has been delayed for a year.

The long-running saga started when a plan to place the first camera on a lamp-post near the town clock was stalled because the lamp post was too wobbly.

This meant that a purpose-built pole had to be constructed at the clock site.

Setting up the second camera in the town's main street also caused a delay because of difficulties finding anyone willing to mount the camera on their property.

It has now been placed on a wobble-free lamp-post.

Deterrent to criminals

The cameras are relaying pictures to two monitors at Machynlleth police station.

The station's sergeant, Terry Slater, said the 24-hour surveillance system stored the pictures on video.

The mayor believes the cameras will benefit the whole community

"Having the two cameras running will give us a good coverage of the town, and provide us with evidence if an incident does happen," he said.

According to Sgt Slater, the system is already providing a service to the community as well as being deterrent to criminals.

"A member of the public lost some property yesterday, and we looked at the video to see if she had lost it at a certain location," he said.

The mayor of Machynlleth, Glenda Jenkins, said the cameras would be beneficial to the whole community, including local businesses.

"I have to say that it is better late than never to have these cameras - I am sure they will be very successful in deterring crime in Machynlleth," she said.

Powys County Council helped set up the cameras - a spokesman said the project had taken "longer than anticipated".