Long-running plans to bring new cafe facilities to Ilkley’s Cow and Calf Rocks viewpoint finally came to fruition at the weekend.

Cafe owner Toni Falconi invited family, friends and visitors to the official opening of his new cafe in the car park off scenic Hangingstone Road on Sunday.

Mr Falconi has closed his old snack kiosk and turned a nearby former Yorkshire Water building into the new cafe, which also provides toilets for visitors to the moor for the first time.

Ward councillor Anne Hawkesworth cut the tape to declare the cafe open. Visitors enjoyed a day of hospitality and food and drink, taking the chance to look around the new facilities and try out the new paved seating area in the weekend’s bright sunshine.

Mr Falconi originally drew up plans for a more ambitious cafe and visitor centre, but despite support from some quarters, the plans for the prominent moorside spot were turned down by a Bradford Council planning committee.

Mr Falconi gained permission for the smaller conversion scheme last year, and work took place through the winter months.