A high-profile fund-raising recreation of the BBC's Question Time in Addingham has had to be dramatically cancelled.

The show, which debates burning issues of the day, was due to make its local-level debut in the village's Memorial Hall last Friday to raise money for the Addingham Rec. Playscheme Appeal.

A range of well-known speakers including Ilkley MP Ann Cryer, Baroness Lockwood, the Chancellor of the University of Bradford, and the Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor David Harrison, had agreed to take part.

But surprisingly poor ticket sales forced Addingham Parish Councillor Bill Preston, who helped organise the event, take the hard decision to pull the show at the last minute.

He said: "We had to cancel because of the lack of response, which is a real shame because when we announced what we were doing everyone had said 'what a good idea, something new'.

"But we just couldn't sell the tickets and we have had to call all the panellists, including Ann Cryer and Baroness Lockwood, and all the guests and tell them that it is off.

"You would have thought that a village like Addingham, which has quite an elderly, well educated and affluent population, would have snapped up tickets for a debate like this.

"We have held previous 'Question Time' style events on gardening and antiques which both brought in crowds of more than 100 people, but we have been amazed, I'm afraid, at the lack of success of this one.

"It is a pity because I had really been looking forward to it, and we were hoping to raise a significant amount of money for the appeal."

Issues due to be debated at the event ranged from village specific subjects like policing levels and the possibility of new toilets to bigger themes including international terrorism.

Formed by mothers in the village two years ago, the Addingham Rec. Playscheme Appeal has already raised £15,000 towards the costs of creating a play area on the recreation ground off Silsen Road.

The group is also hoping to secure a grant for £5,000, but still needs to raise a further £35,000 for the project to go ahead.

It will be hoping for a good response to its collection stall at the Addingham Gala this Saturday. Future fund-raising events being lined up include a Summer Ball and, in November, a revival of the successful traditional Village Quiz.