PROPOSALS submitted by Ilkley Parish Council to take over the running of the town's visitor information centre have been accepted by Bradford Council.

On Tuesday, the council's executive committee agreed the plan which will see the VIC move from its current location within the town hall, into Ilkley Library.

The Parish Council will contribute £19,000 per year for a period of two financial years (2018/2019 and 2019/2020). This will fund two members of staff. The VIC will have a retail space to offset any other running costs.

The move comes amid huge budget cuts to Bradford Council's tourism budget, which has been slashed by nearly three quarters. Other moves see The Bronte Society take on the lease for Haworth's Visitor Centre and Shipley's visitor information centre will close but Shipley College will offer an information point at Victoria Hall.

A Bradford Council spokesman said it was "too early" to put a figure on job losses as a result of the new arrangements.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Ind, Ilkley), who attended the meeting said on Twitter: "I raised future of #ilkleytownhall assured future discussion time will tell."