CAMPAIGNERS opposing grouse shooting on Ilkley Moor have vowed to step up their protests.

Members of Ban Bloodsports on Ilkley Moor (BBIM) handed over a petition with than 1,000 names to councillors at a meeting of the authority's environment and waste management overview and scrutiny committee.

Despite a passionate plea from BBIM spokesman Luke Steele for the committee to protect the moorland in the interest of wildlife and leisure by recommending the Council's Executive ban shooting on the publicly-owned moor, the committee voted instead to recommend the agreement it has with the Bingley Moor Partnership that organises shooting parties continues until it comes to an end in 2018.

Under the agreement there can be up to eight shooting days a year on a small part of the moor, the council gets up to £12,000 if all those days go ahead, £7,500 if there are two shoots and even if no shoots happen the Council still gets a payment of £5,000, the committee was told by the Council's countryside officer Danny Jackson.

Mr Steel had told the committee how walkers had reported being "intimidated" on the moor by gamekeepers and that a group of students had been "abused, jostled and threatened - even pinned down by shooting bullies."

He added: "Ilkley Moor is the heart of our region. It is pivotal to our economy, it attracts tourists."

He also said not one Kestrel had been sighted on the moor since the shooting agreement began in 2008 and there had been reports of rotting animals left in traps unchecked for days breaching the animal welfare act.

Moor resident Michael Brear also spoke at the meeting and told the committee: "I'm not bothered if it's banned or not but I think the committee should have the right facts in front of them.

"I've lived close to the moor for 16 years and my mother has only just seen her first shooting party. If people are out walking they stop shooting, Kestrels are all over the place, the rotting animals are used as bait."

The committee was also told there had not been any independent review of whether shooting should continue or not, members were warned not to let their own personal views on bloodsports to colour their decision - instead they had to consider what effect the shooting had on the moor being enjoyed as an open public space.

Anti-bloodsport campaigners have been organising a series of peaceful protests on the moors handing out leaflets, having picnics and playing cricket, Mr Steel said after meeting: "We are absolutely disgusted the committee has not listened to the people of Ilkley. Our campaign will continue with more protests and action until the shooting is stopped."