A Bramhope hotel could soon be using an historic chapel as part of elaborate wedding packages.

Parish councillors have formed a group to look at the possibility of letting the Holiday Inn use the 17th century Puritan Chapel for weddings.

Chairman Colin Robertson said that the benefits of hiring out the chapel meant that it could be restored to its former glory, after becoming a bit run down.

He said: "It has been known for some time that some money will have to be spent on the chapel.

"A surveyor from the West Yorkshire Archaeological Society came and had a look and said that it was a great privilege to have something like this in the village but that the chapel had problems.

"If we wanted any money from grants we would have to show that the chapel is used."

Almost a year ago, bosses at the Holiday Inn asked parish councillors what they intended to do with the chapel.

Nothing came from the talks but now the manager of the Holiday Inn has asked again if there would be any possibility of the hotel using the chapel.

Parish councillors have now agreed to form a group to look at the pros and cons of letting the chapel be used for weddings.

Coun Robinson said: "I have concerns about what would go on there but there could be a considerable amount of money from weddings as long as the whole thing was managed properly.

"There would need to be a very firm set of rules so that people would not try to push things further in so far as what they could do there.

"Most importantly we need to have respect for the building.

"There are a lot of questions that need answering like who would manage it and who would take bookings?

"I would also suggest only having something like 12 weddings a year to make it a desirable venue but also to look after the building.

"The upside to this is that the parish council could have a 25 per cent increase in its income just from this one particular event.

"This is a building that is under utilised and we can raise funds that can be used to maintain it."

Parish and city councillor Clive Fox (Otley and Wharfedale, Con) said: "How many hotels can offer a wedding package where they have the chapel or church on site?

"Also it does not need to be confined to the Holiday Inn, but I do support forming a group to discuss the potential of this scheme."

The building is currently used for an annual parish service and councillors are keen for it to be used more.

The Grade One listed building, one of only two of its type in the country, was built by landowner Robert Dyneley and is now the responsibility of the parish council.

The chapel was built in 1649 which was taken over by the Church of England after the Restoration.