Otley’s “irreplaceable” Neighbourhood Watch is urgently appealing for new volunteers to help it keep going.

The group, which works closely with the Neighbourhood Policing Team on fighting crime, has seen its committee membership dwindle to a point where it now fears it may be forced to fold.

There are currently only four people running the scheme, with two of those – Adele Carr and Pauline Hanson – due to step down over the next ten months.

Mrs Hanson said: "We’re down to four committee members and it could soon be down to just two.

"So if we don't get more people soon we might have to fold.”