Skipton'S Golden Jubilee committee has folded two months before the jubilee weekend after Craven District Council pulled the plug on its plans to build a commemorative bandstand in the canal basin.

Members have reluctantly agreed to disband the group as its only mandate had been to raise funds for the bandstand.

With no alternatives to look at members have resigned and businesses and individuals who contributed money to the project will be contacted.

They can either have their money returned or will be asked to allow it to remain in a jubilee bank account and used for a different project, should any suitable ideas come forward.

The Herald reported recently that the district council had rejected the plans as it thought the bandstand would be a target for vandalism.

Committee chairman Andrew Rankine said he was disappointed the group had folded because they had worked hard for seven months on the bandstand plans.

He said the decision to give up had not been taken lightly but they felt they had been left with no choice.

Mr Rankine said he would be willing to stand again if an alternative project could be found and any ideas should be handed in to Skipton Town Council.