The budget for work to be carried out on the Charles Causley portrait at Launceston Town Hall is to be be increased.

At a meeting of the town council's finance and general purposes committee earlier this month, town clerk Rita Skinner reported that the costs of the conservation and re-framing of the Causley portrait would be greater than anticipated.

The Post previously reported work on the portrait of the Launceston-born poet would take place as a priority above work on other town council paintings. It followed the council's consideration of recommendations made by a conservator, who had put together a report on the condition of all the council's paintings.

The committee heard the cost would be approximately £12,000 in total — £3,500 to £4,500 for studio work (conservation of the painting itself), £6,900 for optimum museum acrylic glass and a new frame, plus materials and a new stretcher.

Ms Skinner said the year-end figures showed an increase in reserves and Cllr Paul O'Brien, chairman of the finance and general purposes committee, said £12,000 had been saved in 2015 to 2016 as the Neighbourhood Plan was not going ahead.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.