Councillors are appealing for suggestions on uses for a valuable civic badge which has been hidden away for nearly 30 years.

Bramhope and Carlton Parish Council has protected the precious badge and chain which belonged to the former Wharfedale Rural District Council.

The Council, which was based in Otley, was disbanded under the local government reorganisation in 1974 and the badge has remained locked away in the parish council's safe ever since.

Now parish councillors are looking at ways to share the treasure with residents and local organisations.

The badge is no use to the parish council as it already has its own crest.

Councillor Clive Fox said: "We are currently in the possession of the old Wharfedale Rural District Council's badge.

"It is a fine badge with a chain, like the mayoral chain which Otley's mayor has.

"We already have our own chairman's badge and the question has arisen that it is lying in a safe and we should be doing something with it.

"We could give it out on long term loan to Leeds City Council so it could be displayed in the civic hall but not many people would get to see it there.

"It is a nice piece of regalia and is worth several hundreds of pounds, but we have no use for it, we want residents to let us know how it could be used.

"Maybe an organisation could use it. It is just sitting in the safe and it has been for more than 25 years which is not the best use for it."

The parish council was entrusted with the safe keeping of the badge because the last chairman to wear it, Jack Mordy, lived in Bramhope.

The badge is on the parish council's agenda to be discussed at the next meeting and anyone wanting to forward suggestions can contact clerk Sandra Reed on (0113) 261 4880.