THE first steps towards replacing Otley’s Maypole will be taken next week.

Leeds City Council removed the historic landmark in June after an inspection found a section of it to be dangerously rotten.

Now the authority has announced that work on preparing the Manchester Square site for its replacement will begin on Monday.

The £56,000 scheme will involve rebuilding the Maypole’s base and installing a new pole made by a yacht mast supplier, but the council has warned it may not arrive until early 2015.

Otley’s three ward councillors, who have been calling for the replacement to be in situ by Christmas, welcomed the news of progress.

Cllr Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) said: “This is fantastic news.

“It has taken too long to get this far but now residents will see action next week.

“We have been promised that the work will not affect surrounding traffic, but part of the nearby paved area which people use to park on will be closed for the duration of the two weeks while the work is carried out.

“We asked Leeds to start work after the Victorian Fayre to minimise disruption for residents and visitors.

“Once the groundworks are complete we will push for the replacement for the Maypole to be installed as soon as possible.”

Otley’s Maypole, standing at about 75ft tall including an underground section, is believed to be the tallest in the country.