Seven business leaders will drive forward Otley’s new Business Improvement District.

The town's businesses voted overwhelmingly in November to back a levy-paying scheme that will see £360,000 invested in Otley over the next five years.

Board members for Otley BID Limited were elected into their voluntary roles following an Otley Chamber of Trade meeting in January and will be responsible for delivering projects to boost Otley's profile and economy.

Otley BID is funded by all of the businesses within its area donating one per cent of their rateable value each year.

The directors are: Steph Lee, Otley Town Partnership; Peter Heald, Lunds of Otley; Rory McQuaid, The Ethical Jeweller; Vanessa James, Weston Lane Sports Club; Andy Bolton, Fraudscreen Ltd; Stewart Gilray, Just Add Water Ltd; Sally Hinchliffe, Bondgate Bakery.

Otley's MP Greg Mulholland said: “This is a very positive initiative and I would like to congratulate everyone for their hard work in securing this.”