A NEW team of Otley Ambassadors is being formed to promote the town.

The scheme, which will use volunteers with strong local roots who have 'reach beyond our boundaries', is part of the Town Council's next push to boost tourism.

Otley held its first Tourism Conference in March and the council, which organised the event with support from Otley BID, Otley Town Partnership and MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) is keen to build on its success.

The scheme is being led by Councillor Paul Carter (LIb Dem, West Chevin), Chairman of the Trade and Tourism committee.

He said: "The broad idea is that the ambassadors are there to represent the town to the wider world.

"Their role will be to network and promote Otley, make introductions and foster tourist and cultural links, and to inform the town council of any opportunities.

"We want people with a good knowledge of the town who live in Otley or have been born here.

"At the moment we're in the process of locking down on the people to invite and will then have to write to formally invite them and take it from there."

Council Chairman Councillor Ray Georgeson (Lib Dem, Danefield) added: "The Ambassadors scheme will see a range of people who have reach beyond our boundaries appointed to promote the virtues of Otley as they travel in the

business, professional, sporting and cultural worlds.

"Ambassadors will be asked to give a short annual report on their activity and they will own and wear a special pin badge.

"Councillors have been asked to suggest possible candidates and we would welcome any suggestions that may wish to make - ideas can be sent by e-mail to community@otleytowncouncil.gov.uk .

"This is a simple but effective scheme that will be launched fully later in the Autumn.

"It is already done by other places - now it is our turn!

"We are sending clear signals of our commitment and intent on the tourism agenda as we set out last year, developed further with local interest groups at the March conference, and are now pressing on into a next stage of activity."

Councillors at last week's Policy and Resources committee welcomed the ambassadors scheme and agreed to support it.

They also approved the use of some budget underspend to commission new work on branding strategies for Otley and a new, professional image bank for use by the council and its partners.