A new tourist information office has opened six months after the previous centre crashed amid a cash crisis.

Skipton Tourist Information Centre is up and running in a new base in Coach Street, thanks to the work of a steering group, which secured a financial rescue package.

And more than 1,000 people have used the new service in the first four days since it opened.

Anne Hadaway, who led the steering group and is now chairman of the new TIC management group, said: "We are thrilled to bits to have opened in time for the Easter holiday.

"It's just six months since the last TIC closed - I don't think we dreamed we would up and running within that period."

Skipton was one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area and it was essential it had a tourist information centre.

"People had been asking shopkeepers where the TIC was, so we know people have been looking for it. It all bodes well for the future."

New manager, Sue Swales, said: "The place looks fantastic. Skipton needs a tourist information centre. It's the gateway to the Dales and is a very popular visitor area.

"There is lots of scope for developing the work further - we have just started and are scratching the surface. It needs to be fully developed."

Broadly, the centre provided a free information service supplemented by the sale of maps, reference and guide books, a book-a-bed service and details about places to eat and travel.

Caroline Taukulis, of Craven District Council economic development unit, said the council had provided almost £19,000 from the Craven Counts Regeneration project.

It had also pledged £10,000 a year towards the running costs and provided the property rent free.

Skipton Building Society had also pumped in cash support for the next two years and funding also came from Skipton Chamber of Trade and the Telegraph & Argus's sister newspaper, the Craven Herald and Pioneer. Other local businesses also provided support.

The centre, which is also run by two part-time staff and about ten volunteers, is open from Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and on Sundays from 11.30am to 3.30pm.

The previous centre was axed last October when it was hit by a financial crisis.

It was unable to meet huge £140,000 annual running costs in its up-market Craven Court base in Skipton.