LINTON Youth Hostel has been sold from an asking price of £350,000.

The Youth Hostel Association put it on the market to stave off a financial crisis in the wake of the foot and mouth crisis.

Ten hostels across the country have been closed, and initially Kettlewell Youth Hostel looked in doubt but was given a reprieve at the 11th hour.

Now the YHA is looking at installing a post office within the Kettlewell building.

Rob James, press officer for the YHA, said the plans were still progressing and the YHA was working with the Post Office and the Countryside Agency to develop the proposal.

Although the YHA says visitor figures in Yorkshire are almost back to pre-FMD levels, the association is still hoping to increase the number of visitors staying in Craven.

It is looking for a new venue to create a youth hostel in the Grassington area, and earlier this year, launched the YHA Enterprise scheme.

This is described as an new initiative inviting existing accommodation providers, such as bed and breakfast establishments and bunk barns, to work together and expand the network.

Mr James explained: "Any new youth hostel would carry the famous YHA logo, but we are also looking to establish new types of accommodation, such as YHA guesthouses - where YHA membership will not be a prerequisite for staying overnight."

The initiative is looking at the possibility of setting up bunkhouses, camping barns, guesthouses, and back-packer hostels through joint ventures with private, public and voluntary sector partners.

Simon Ainley, YHA regional manager for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "YHA's network needs to grow and there are a number of locations in Yorkshire that offers opportunities to develop new accommodation either operated directly by YHA or by others on our behalf.

"YHA Enterprise offers considerable scope for us to work with partners, including other accommodation providers. There are real opportunities for farm diversification and to redevelop redundant buildings."

Under YHA Enterprise, partner organisations would own and in many cases run the new accommodation.

But for a yearly flat fee and agreed percentage of annual income, YHA will provide marketing and booking services.

"We are aiming to increase the number of annual overnight stays at YHA accommodation here by 83,000 within five years," said Mr Ainley.