A COUNCIL will shop around before setting up a webcasting system to beam meetings to taxpayers' computer screens.

Durham County Council's cabinet has welcomed the idea of broadcasting its business over the Internet.

The system could also be used to broadcast events held at the council's County Hall headquarters, such as elections, award ceremonies, wedding and conferences.

But rather than take up the offer of a webcasting firm currently working with other authorities, the council will look into the issue further.

The cabinet had been recommended to enter into discussions with UK Council, which has worked with the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly, for a 12-month pilot scheme costing £20,000 for ten hours air time a month.

A council spokesman said: "Rather than plump for this company that offered us this particular deal, we will look into it in a bit more depth.

"We will examine all the options open to us for providing an effective and cost-effective webcasting system.

"It is a very good idea but we don't want to put all our eggs into one basket.''