A NEW-STYLE public meeting in Ilkley aims to get people talking about issues of concern in the town.

Ilkley Parish Council has joined forces with the Keighley Area Panel to create the Ilkley Open Meeting - which will encourage debate and feedback through guest speakers and open forum.

Inspector David Drucquer, of Keighley Police, will attend the first meeting to address people's concerns about crime and community safety in Ilkley.

There will also be a presentation by website group, Ilkley Pages, whose members wish to inform as many groups as possible about their work.

Councillor Brian Mann, of Ilkley Parish Council, a non-executive member of the internet group's trust, said: "I do hope we will get good support for this because they have put an awful lot of work into this presentation and they see this as the most important event in the life of Ilkley Pages."

There will also be an opportunity for people to raise other issues in the community, which may be of general concern.

Coun Michael Gibbons, chairman of Ilkley Parish Council, said: "It is important for people to come along because we will be discussing things that affect people in the community. If they want to have an input it is important they attend." Collaboration with the larger body, which has have more resources, will also give scope to produce agendas and sent minutes to those who have attended.

Patrick Lawton, the Keighley Area Co-ordinator, said he was looking forward to the first meeting.

He said: "It is a good opportunity for Bradford Council to work in partnership with Ilkley Parish Council. We both hope it is going to successful.

"We are looking for as big an attendance as possible. If it is judged that these meetings are a success there is potential for the agenda to be determined by local people."

The Ilkley Open Meeting will take place at Church House, on Church Street, on November 21 at 7.30pm.