An average speed camera installed on a Norfolk A-road earlier this year at a cost of �470,000 has never been switched on – and now may never be used.

The time and distance camera on the A149 at Catfield was installed using government money, from the Department for Transport's rural demonstration project, as a pilot for how such equipment could be used nationally.

Yesterday Norfolk County Council confirmed that the camera has never been used and as a result no tickets have been issued.

It is the only piece of equipment installed as part of the Norfolk Safety Camera Partnership's work that has never been used.

A partnership insider said: 'It is a huge waste of public money. This is brand new equipment which could now be no use to anybody.'