WALES' first-ever permanent giant public TV screen will not be installed in Wrexham after all.

The screen, which in part-nership with Phillips and the BBC would have shown major live events and programmes made by local people, was thought too expensive by Wrexham councillors.

Despite the popularity of temporary screens erected in Queen's Square last year, which showed the Wimbledon tennis final and the Live 8 concert, the council was told that for its part in the scheme, it would have to provide £75,000 per year.

In total it would cost £225,000 for the three years the screen would be in place in Queen's Square.

After that, the screen would have to come down as the planning application for it, which was granted last year, set a three-year limit on its installation to prevent any detraction from surrounding buildings.

Despite this, it was thought the scheme was popular among councillors but another poor financial settlement from the Welsh Assembly forced the council's executive board to think carefully about the proposal.

Following a discussion, councillors agreed not to proceed with the scheme.

Instead, the cash has been earmarked for use in supporting frontline services which are reaching breaking point after the Assembly confirmed Wrexham will again receive the worst settlement in Wales.

Leader of the council, Cllr Aled Roberts, said: 'We have an excellent working relationship with the BBC and while we all recognise the merits of having the only big screen in Wales, the timing was just not right for Wrexham.

'Members have to make some very difficult decisions on next year's budget after we received the lowest financial settlement from the Assembly.

'Last year the council worked in conjunction with the BBC to broadcast the Live 8 concert on to a temporary screen in Queens Square that proved very popular.

'Members felt this was very successful and would like to see one-off events of this nature hosted again in the town in the future, budgets permitting.'