A BID to brighten up Ilkley by constructing a bandstand in front of the former Grove Convalescent home has reached a major milestone.

So far around £25,000 towards the £70,000 costs has been contributed or promised to the fund.

Laurie Freeman, chairman of the Fundraising Committee, said: "This is a tremendous response. The kind comments of support justify our decision to seek to preserve this most important site for the community.

"But we still have a long way to go to raise the full £70,000 towards realising the dream of a bandstand on the Grove. I hope the people of Ilkley will continue to support us in this venture."

Organisers of the appeal have been contacting businesses in the area as well as prominent residents to directly ask for support.

Messages and donations of support have been well received but the organisers have warned against complacency with so much more money needed to complete the project and, in the words of the organisers: 'put a smile on The Grove'.

As a record of support the organisers are to produce a booklet explaining how the project was conceived and developed. This will contain the names of all the donors.

A copy of the booklet will be placed in a time capsule to be buried in the foundations of the bandstand when work starts. Donors who have contributed at least £100 will have the opportunity to complete a personalised dedication including a message to future generations for sealing in the time capsule.

There will also be an opportunity for donors contributing £500 to have inscribed flagstones or engraved plaques containing business or family names.

Philip Chinque, of Ilkley Rotary Club, said: "The number of items which can be dedicated in this way is limited and will be determined by approval of final design work.

"This is probably the last opportunity for donors to be associated publicly with a community-based initiative which will enhance the attraction of the beautiful town of Ilkley."

A year ago, the Abbeyfield Society of Ilkley acquired the site of the former Grove Convalescent Hospital to convert it into a residential accommodation for the elderly.

As part of their plans, the society decided to dedicate the strip of green lawn next to The Grove for public use.

The Rotary Club of Ilkley and the Rotary Club of Ilkley Wharfedale were consulted about what could be done with the land and the idea of a bandstand was born.

Planning permission has been granted and invitations to tender for the work are due in the next few weeks.

Mr Chinque said: "This is a tremendous project. Not only will it preserve this most important site from commercial exploitation it will provide generations to come with a most attractive public amenity for their enjoyment."