Skipton Tourist Information Centre has been axed, unable to meet the huge running costs of its town-centre site.

The key to the centre in Craven Court, off the High Street, was due to be handed over to the official receiver today.

The closure has hit seven part-time staff and one volunteer. The news was broken to them on Friday at the close of business.

Robin Moule, a director, said: "That was the most awful thing I have ever had to do. Staff were not surprised because they were aware of the problems.

"We pulled the plug on the enterprise because we felt enough was enough.

"Our main problem is that we have not had the support from the people for whom we provide a free service - people in the tourist industry."

Mr Moule praised Skipton Building Society, which had recently struck a three-year £7,500 partnership with the the TIC, and Craven District Council which had supplied cash support.

The TIC had to meet annual running costs of £140,000 after leaving its former base in Sheep Street in 1999, where it was run by Skipton Town Council.

In its first year in Craven Count, where it was run as a commercial, profit-making business, it suffered "substantial" losses. Much of its information was provided free to the public, said Mr Moule.

"The closure has not been taken lightly, but it has become increasingly apparent that it can no longer be sustained due to high overheads and operational costs," he said. "Substantial losses have been incurred by the directors."

Mr Moule said what was most frustrating was since taking over workers had increased the number of people visiting the centre from 90,000 to 200,000.

A Yorkshire Dales National Park spokesman said: "It's sad news because Skipton is one of the key gateways to the Yorkshire Dales National Park and a vital location for passing on information."

Yorkshire Tourist Board chief executive David Andrews said: "This is not good news because TICs provide an invaluable service to both visitors and the residents."

In the meantime both the Gateway in Leeds and Settle tourist information centre are handling inquiries from the public.