One of Ilkley's most famous natural treasures could be moved within 12 months from the hillside which has been its home for thousands of years.

The Panorama Stones, currently protected behind iron railings in St Margaret's Park, Ilkley are set to become a key new attraction for the Manor House Museum.

The Dr Little Heritage Group, which has been working on ways to protect the stones from erosion, made the decision at a meeting with English Heritage, Bradford Council's District Archaeologist Gavin Edwards and other interested parties.

Taking advice on the ancient 'cup and ring' rock carvings from international experts, the group agreed that a potentially expensive removal process to an indoor site was the best solution.

Chairman Ian Chamberlain said: "This meeting was an important turning point because before then no decision had been made on the future of the stones, they were just being neglected.

"We originally wanted them to stay where they are but experts have highlighted that these are perhaps the most important cup and ring stones in Britain, if not Europe. We always knew they were important but to hear that was quite a shock. So preserving them somewhere where they are easily accessible to everyone has to be the priority. Our stance has always been to work in the interests of the stones and, on the basis of the advice we've received we are very supportive of the move and will be doing as much as possible to raise the money needed to pay for the whole project."

The costs of what Mr Chamberlain says will be a "very delicate" operation have yet to be finalised but are expected to be considerable.

They will be discussed at a second meeting of the groups in January, 2003, when English Heritage will decide if it can start 'de-scheduling' the monument, in effect disabling its protected status to allow the move.

The Dr Little Heritage Group has also put forward the idea of having a replica of the three stones made before they are moved and positioning it in the original site in St Margaret's Park. Mr Chamberlain said: "Having a replica there would ensure the historic link between the stones and the park and interested walkers could still look in on them."

Before anything happens, however, an open meeting designed to give as many people as possible a chance to air their views on the proposal is being organised for July 29.

Mr Chamberlain urged anyone with an opinion to take part. He said: "This meeting will give the public a chance to hear about the decision, which isn't fixed in concrete yet.

"Consultation with the local community is very important and if a large proportion of residents at the meeting had strong feelings against the move we might have to look at it again."

The Manor House Museum put forward the idea of housing the stones several years ago and a spokesman said it was delighted that now looked like becoming a reality.

The Council's Environment and Culture chief, Ilkley parish and district Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, said: "As far as the future of the stones is concerned this appears to be the most sensible of solutions.

"I would have some concerns if the original site were to be completely abandoned but the idea of placing a replica there sounds a good one."

Believed to date as far back as 3,000 BC, cup and ring stone markings on and around Ilkley Moor such as those on the Panorama Stones continue to fascinate, and baffle, archaeologists.

One popular theory among many is that our ancestors used the designs as a form of primitive map-making to navigate around the Wharfedale landscape.