Representatives from many of the village's key businesses are expected to attend the next meeting of Burley-in-Wharfedale Chamber of Trade.

The recently formed group has attracted wide support from local traders and already has members from around 30 of the community's companies.

It is now in the process of forming a working party to liaise with Ilkley Parish Council over issues like improving car parking in Burley centre.

Honorary Secretary Roger Charnley said: "We are making good progress and are pleased with our membership numbers, which are already near our target figure.

"But there are around 130 businesses in Burley, including a lot of people who work from home or on the Internet, and we want to reach them, too.

"So improving networking is important and we'll be looking at ways of achieving that. We've also been talking to Bradford Council to make a case for more money to be spent on promoting tourism in lower Wharfedale.

"And we are working with Burley Bridge Association to find out more about what is preventing construction of the bridge, because having that built would encourage a lot more people, and therefore shoppers, to the area."

Anyone connected with a local business is welcome to attend when the Chamber meets at Burley Methodist Church at 7.30pm on Thursday, May 15.