UNRULY children are putting family classical concerts in jeopardy.

The most recent Ilkley Family Funday Concert saw so much bad behaviour by youngsters that parents have been accused of using the event as a creche.

Children were running about and disturbing the performance, and it was so bad that the Funday Committee received several complaints and some of the audience left before the show had finished.

Secretary of the Committee, Rebecca Farthing said: "It was a case of the artist not keeping the attention of the children as well as other artists and the parents didn't seem to think three or four children running around was a problem.

"As far as we are concerned it is geared towards entertainment and educating the children. When the children stopped paying attention the parents should have kept a better eye on them.

"They bring in three or four children with only one adult to look after them and they have been bringing in children under four. We cannot ban them but they are too young to sit there for the concert."

The next Funday is this Sunday (and it will be under close scrutiny. If parents continue to use it as a creche then the future of the Fundays could be called into question.

Mrs Farthing added: "I think action will be taken and we will be asking parents to take their children outside. We are not asking that the children stay glued to their seats but we are hoping that it will be an enjoyable event.

"We just want to ensure that the adults keep an eye on their children so we can all enjoy the concert.

"We are seriously thinking about upping the age limit to five to nine years but we agreed that was not fair as it is only a small minority that spoil it for the majority."

"Some families left before the end of the show because young children were running around the Winter Garden.

"It was felt by some that the concert was being treated purely as an entertainment or even creche facility and as a result the older children were not able to get as much out of it as usual."

Sunday's concert begins at 3pm and the mysterious Mr X and Mr Y will be performing More Nursery Crimes, which will include some of the nation's favourite bedtime stories.

The aim of the event is to introduce live music concerts to children aged four to eleven, by encouraging audience participation.

The concerts began in 1995 so children could listen to artists and enjoy a better understanding of music and instruments.

This is the first year they have been able to hold four concerts and the next will be on Sunday, March 3.

When the series of concerts has finished the committee will have to decide whether or not to keep running them as they usually run at a loss, despite being sponsored by Booths Supermarket.

Now the behaviour of young children at Sunday's concert may affect the decision.

The committee is also looking for more parents to become volunteers, to help with handing out brochures at their child's school, to help out at concerts and, if they want, to become an active Committee member.

There are only four committee members and they desperately need more parents to help out. Volunteers would only have to give up one hour a month and would not have many responsibilities if they did not wish.

Anybody interested in becoming involved can call Rebecca Farthing on (01943) 601197.

Tickets for the concert are available on the door, which opens at 2.15pm, or from Ilkley Tourist Information Centre.