FARMERS and those in the countryside are being urged to have their say in the regeneration of Otley.

Better transport links, a farmers market and progress with the planned arts and community centre are being lined up for the town.

Now the exciting plans under the government's £1 million Market Towns Initiative - to make Otley the centre for outlying villages and communities such as Pool-in-Wharfedale, Bramhope, Leathley and Farnley - have taken major steps forward.

And farmers and others in the rural community are being urged to come forward with any ideas.

A project worker, employed by Yorkshire Forward, is expected to be taken on before the end of the year and an action plan for the whole area should be finalised early next year.

Otley Mayor, Councillor Phil Coyne said a working group had spent the last five months putting together an overview of Otley and its surrounding villages.

He said the taking on of a project worker, which will be separately funded by Yorkshire Forward, was a major step.

And today it is expected that a professional consultant will be taken on to complete a health check of the area.

Once that is done, it is planned a public meeting will be held in Otley early next year when the plans will be presented.

Coun Coyne said the group really wanted to hear from all those who lived in the outlying communities and what they felt was needed.

"We want to improve transport links, we want to bring people into the street market and we're fairly keen on a farmers' market."

He said it was all about making Otley the focus for the area and provide all the support needed.

In May this year Otley was selected as one of several market towns in the country to benefit from the Market Towns Initiative.

Under the joint Countryside Agency, Yorkshire Forward scheme some £360,000 will be channelled in the area plus a hoped for equal amount at least in matched funding.

Coun Coyne said the group was very keen to get things moving as soon as possible.

He added that the town probably benefited from being in the second round of towns chosen to take part in the initiative in that it was able to see what others had already done.

Ben Atkinson, auctioneer and director at Otley's Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart and a member of the working party, said: "We're hoping to hear from all members within the rural community about the ways in which we can help them to rebuild a strong, sustainable working rural economy."

Coun Coyne, who is also chairman of Otley Town Partnership, added: "The Partnership needs to reflect the widest possible views of Otley's diverse community.

"Clearly the agricultural economy has faced enormous challenges this year and the partnership recognises the importance the rural economy is to Otley's business.

"I do urge people to contact Ben Atkinson, Les Cross or myself at the earliest opportunity so that we can confidently plan for the future."

Anyone wanting to get involved in the project should telephone Councillor Phil Coyne, Ben Atkinson or Les Cross, Otley Town Council clerk at Otley Civic Centre.

lThe West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority has just announced it is bidding for government money to carry out a transport 'makeover' for Otley and the surrounding area.

A spokesperson for the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority (WPTA) said: "West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority, in partnership with Otley Market Town Initiative, has submitted a bid to the Department of Transport, Local Government and The Regions for a wide ranging and innovative public transport make-over for Otley and the surrounding area.

The bid is one of four WYPTA entries in the Rural Bus Challenge Competition 2001.