THE Glorious 12th' proved to be a non-event in and around Ilkley.

Despite Bradford Council allowing grouse shooting to return to Ilkley Moor, none took place on the opening day of the new season.

And Edward Bromet, a partner of the Bingley Moor Partnership, an organisation that manages shoots on Bingley and Burley Moor, said no shooting would take place this year because of a shortage of birds.

The Partnership has been granted permission to extend its area to Ilkley Moor, a decision which has ruffled feathers among the anti-shooting lobby.

Bradford Council believes that any income generated by the shoot can be used to look after the moor.

Mr Bromet said: "We are not shooting on Rombalds Moor this year. We are sorry not to be shooting but we are pleased with the result of hard work by our three gamekeepers after taking on Ilkley Moor."

The start of the grouse shooting season after its reintroduction on Ilkley Moor was expected to be accompanied by a blast of protest.

Green Party candidates on Bradford Council had made their opposition clear and vandals claiming to be from the Animal Liberation Front had damaged traps and pens on the Bingley and Burley-in-Wharfedale section of Rombalds Moor.

Mr Bromet explained that the grouse population crashed in 2005 - mainly as a result of infestation by a parasitic worm - and had not recovered as quickly as had been hoped.

A Bradford Council spokes-man said: "We are not expecting any shooting on the moor this year as the grouse population is not up to it."