A CABLE car could soar above Ingleton's Waterfalls Walk while model trains chug across the viaduct in an ambitious scheme to boost tourism.

The village is thinking big in its battle to win back tourists following the foot and mouth crisis.

The grand plans were discussed by over 60 residents and traders at a recovery meeting attended by county councillor David Ireton, and Craven district councillor and parish council chairman, Carl Lis.

The meeting heard that since March the whole community had been under siege with trade virtually paralysed.

A comprehensive plan for revitalising Ingleton is urgently required, including immediate action, medium term proposals, and long term objectives.

The meeting agreed the most important thing was to get over the message that Ingleton is open for business.

With the recent re-opening of footpaths, new signs are being prepared to welcome back visitors and Craven District Council is to be asked to consider dispensing with all car park charges, including the £15 charge for coach parking, in the current financial year.

Despite the cancellation of the gala, it was agreed to try and stage the Ingleborough Fell Race while the possibility of St Mary's holding a flower show is also being considered.

The Ingleton website is to include a welcome message for visitors and news that the surrounding countryside is open again.

Medium term proposals include the production of a detailed map to be distributed in all local shops, pubs, and guest houses showing which footpaths are open. Grants are to be sought to cover the publication costs.

It was also agreed to give urgent thought to employing a full-time professional co-ordinator, initially for one year. The job would include marketing the area's tourist potential and co-ordinating the action to be taken to achieve long term sustainability.

Other suggestions included a professionally produced A4-size brochure for tourists describing the walks, historic sites and amenities, plus details of accommodation, refreshments, shopping, car parking and other relevant information. It was proposed that the brochure should be available free in all shops and pubs in the area.

A more concise edition could be published giving general information and then be distributed more widely.

Existing information could also be used to build up a database for a mail shot distribution, while a longer term advertising strategy using existing booklets and TV programmes was also suggested.

Special events proposed included a laser light show on Ingleborough, a music and arts festival based on the village, an exhibition of village heritage and the reinstatement of the antiques fair.

Other ideas include the introduction of discount vouchers to enable visitors to enjoy certain facilities at a reduced price, the development of guided walks and the production of a village map showing all heritage sites, amenities and other facilities.

People at the meeting felt petrol service station facilities on the A65 needed to return as soon as possible and there was a need for better signposting of the village centre, car parks and other amenities, particularly the swimming pool, Waterfalls Walk car park and the return route to the car park from the end of the walk.

It was also felt efforts should be made to provide more car parking space and Mealbank Quarry was cited as one area to consider for coach parking.

A multi-ticketing scheme or visitors' pass could be introduced to persuade visitors to stay longer. Such a scheme could involve a fixed price car parking ticket which would cover all the paying car parks in the area.

While footpaths to and from existing car parks needed better maintenance, it was felt detractions to the tourist image of the area were poor street cleaning and the state of public toilets. It was suggested an improvement scheme could include more flowered areas in the village.

It was also stated that the park near the swimming pool was not used enough and better landscaping and picnic tables would improve its appearance and appeal to visitors.

A further meeting is planned at the Wheatsheaf on Tuesday (August 7) to report on progress made.

This meeting will also consider the recovery plan and how to put it into action.