Otley'S pleasure boats may not appear at all this year, it is feared - and the blame has been laid squarely with the city council.

Last month it was revealed that tenders for the rights to run the boats at Wharfemeadows Park had not been put out in time for the traditional Easter opening.

And now, two weeks later discussions are still going on between the council's leisure services department and its property wing before tenders can be invited.

But with the usual Easter start date already gone and repair work remaining to be done on the boat landing stage, it looks increasingly likely that the boats will not appear on the river this year.

And some believe following their absence last year because of the foot and mouth crisis, it could be the end of boats at Otley.

Councillor Graham Kirkland (Lib Dem, Otley and Wharfedale) hit out at the city council's leisure services department for lacking any sense of urgency.

"To suddenly wake up in April and think about putting out tenders is completely ridiculous.

"They should have been planning this back in the autumn, the trouble is the whole department seems to have this attitude that don't do anything today when it can be left until tomorrow.

"The trouble is there is no leisure services committee to control things, there is just a single person in charge of everything."

Coun Kirkland added that it would be disastrous for business and for tourism in the town if the boats did not return for another year.

"Otley without boats is like a fish without water, it's a very poor state of affairs."

And Trevor Backhouse, president of the Otley and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said it was unacceptable.

"Leisure Services obviously don't understand the urgency of having to make a decision and now are they going to be able to make a decision in time for the summer?

"The jetty still needs mending and has needed mending all this time, it's just unacceptable.

"It's all very well saying the jetty was damaged by the high water, but it is their responsibility and should be repaired."

Mr Backhouse added that he felt very strongly that the council needed to respond more quickly, especially when it concerned a business.

"A business runs on results and not on excuses," he said.

Last month, Leeds Leisure Services department said it was negotiating with Leeds Development Agency over the boating rights to operate boats on the river at Otley this summer.

A spokesman for the council this week said the situation had not changed and was not able to comment further.

David Asquith, who has operated the boats for the last ten years, has said he has yet to see any tenders to run the boats this year.

l What do you think of the boats not reopening this year? Write to Wharfedale Observer, 9 Orchard gate, Otley, LS21 3NX.