AMBITIOUS plans to revamp Otley's Victorian Fayre have been revealed.

Next year, the event could be spread over four days and brought forward from its traditional first Friday in December to the end of November.

Town councillor Nigel Francis, who sits on the Victorian Fayre Committee, said attempts were being made to breathe new life into the event.

"It's always been my ambition to stage a four day event. A lot of traders have been saying that for them the fayre is a waste of time because in theory they should be busy anyway just before Christmas and that they want it earlier."

He said the first day of the event could coincide with the turning on of the Christmas lights with the other three days following a different theme.

"The first day would be like the start of Christmas, the second could be the Victorian Fayre as usual with children dressed up and singing and the third could be a spirit of Christmas Day."

To round the event off, the last day could feature vintage vehicles, street organs and entertainers.

"It could be very good, but it would need to be a real community event with everyone getting involved," said Coun Francis.

Trevor Backhouse, president of the Otley Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said he supported any attempt to promote Otley but doubted the event could stretch to four days.

"I think it is extremely ambitious to have it for four days, but I certainly think it is worth considering."

Mr Backhouse, who finishes his year as president of the chamber in March, added he is considering joining the fayre committee - which is constantly appealing for new members.

This year's event was cancelled at the last minute because of the threatened firefighters' strike. Its replacement, the Otley Spirit of Christmas Day was declared a success although it only attracted a fraction of the usual crowds.

Some shops stayed open late into the evening, but traders failed to make anything like their usual profits.

Mr Backhouse said: "When the Victorian Fayre is on I can take £1,000 in one day and in just three hours on Victorian night I can take £600. I have in the past done my Christmas window in the middle of November, but being a food shop people aren't really interested in buying Christmas food stuffs that early."