IT WAS the end of an era last week as the former Thomas Chippendale Primary school in Otley was pulled down.

But it was not a dignified end for the building which closed at the end of the summer term last year and this year would have celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Vandalism and a lack of maintenance had caused the site to become an 'eyesore' and a 'tip'.

Nearby residents had predicted that without proper care, the site would become a target for vandals.

And throughout the summer the fire brigade and police were called to the school grounds to put out burning trees and move youths camping on the playing fields.

The playing fields are to be kept for community use, with only the building space to sold and developed.

But resident John Morgan believes that the playing fields aren't suitable for public use, nor does he believe the land suitable for housing. He said: "The area acts as a natural amphitheatre - magnifying any sound in there.

"Plus the fact that the fields can't really be seen leave them open to abuse.

"I think they should be sold off and new sports fields bought with the proceeds. But there has been no consultation from Leeds City Council, no discussion at all.

"And in the meantime they are not maintaining the fields, everything is falling into disrepair and the place is basically a tip."

A spokesman from Leeds City Council said: "The existing school building is currently being demolished because we felt that it posed a Health and Safety risk, as it has previously been subject to vandalism.

"The school playing fields are defined as a Protected Playing Pitch under the adopted Unitary Development Plan. We are therefore required to protect their status as a playing field for community use as part of any redevelopment of the school site."