Aireborough residents must decide between forming a giant parish or splitting into separate communities, say parish council campaigners.

Residents and councillors hoping to set up a parish council for Yeadon, Guiseley, Rawdon and Hawksworth say it is up to members of the community to decide on their boundaries.

Few people turned out at a meeting at Yeadon Town Hall last week - but ward councillors and members of Aireborough Community Involvement Team say they will press ahead with their bid for a parish council.

They identified the major obstacle would be deciding on a boundary for the parish. Creating a parish taking in the whole ward would leave parts of Yeadon and Rawdon isolated.

Leeds city councillor Graham Latty (Con, Aireborough) said: "What we want is the most sensible boundary. What we need is for the people of Aireborough to voice their opinion quickly."

To gain a parish council, the campaigners must collect the signatures of at least ten per cent of the Aireborough electorate, but must first decide on the parish boundaries.

Among the suggestions put forward, have been a large united parish, separate parish councils for each township, or two parish councils - one for Guiseley and Hawksworth, the other for Yeadon and Rawdon.

Secretary of the Yorkshire Local Councils Association, Ian Straughan, explained the powers and limitations of parish councils.

He said some parishes were now pushing to take over some local authority services, such as street cleaning. Mr Straughan said if there was one parish council for the whole of Aireborough, it should be divided into wards.

He stressed that a parish council should work in partnership with Leeds City Council, and would not have as much power as the old Aireborough Urban District Council.

Another public meeting is expected to take place in the near future.