AN IMPROVED system for suspending advertising banners across Kendal's Highgate is to be considered by South Lakeland District Council officers after the service was suspended for safety reasons.

Groups or organisations have previously paid for a banner to be suspended across the street between Kendal Town Hall and the building occupied by the Red Cross Charity Shop.

But the service was halted in September when it was discovered that wind had loosened one of the brackets, forcing council officers to declare it unsafe. Now a solution could be on the way, after members of the SLDC's development overview and scrutiny committee voted for officers to prepare a scheme for the installation of a pulley system to allow banners to be winched across safely, which would minimise the risks to the public and those undertaking the work.

While the estimated cost of the project is £2,000, a pulley system would negate the need to continue to pay contractors for the work with the cost recoupable over time by the district council.

Installing a pulley system to the first floor balcony of Kendal Town Hall, however, will require listed building planning consent.