WINTER is on its way and with it - the latest spate of Yorkshire Stone thefts. But this week, thieves have surpassed themselves and coolly driven off with a large section of wall - just feet from the entrance of Otley Police Station.

But it's not just the fact the theft happened right under the noses of the town's police station, but that it also happened on the main road through the town. A largish van must have been used and even with a gang of thieves, it must have taken a fair amount of time to dislodge the stone and pile it up into the van.

Marks on a nearby tree also indicate that some sort of sledgehammer was used to shift the stone. So why, on a main road with steady traffic - even in the middle of the night - did no one hear or see anything? And the audacity of these criminals - not only are they confident of successfully carrying out such a crime right in the town centre, but within sight of the police station. It beggars belief.

WORK has finally started on Otley's new maypole and community dance area. After three years in the planning, the maypole is something for the town to be proud of.

The town has a very active Morris dancing community, but it's not just the sides that are set to benefit from the project. The site of a maypole for many centuries, the reworked Manchester Square will in the future feature a paved dance area, new 25 ft decorated pole, seating and planters.

Morris dancers will certainly make full use of the area, but it is also to be used by community groups for a range of open air entertainment. Above all, it will transform the entrance to Otley and no doubt fit in perfectly with the town's aspirations in next year's Yorkshire in Bloom competition.