Ilkley will enjoy its first full time youth worker based at the Warehouse in Little Lane, after council bosses gave the green light for the new post.

The Gazette can reveal the post is about to be advertised by Bradford Council's youth service

section.

At a public meeting in Ilkley last year, the service first revealed its desire to create such a post and hoped it would become a reality.

A spokesman for the youth service said the creation of the post, which will also cover Addingham, was part of a commitment to the more rural areas of the Bradford district. A rural youth work unit is going to be set up, dedicated to areas such as Ilkley and Addingham.

Applications for the post will be invited from those with the necessary youth work qualifications, with particular emphasis on experience in rural areas. The spokesman said: "The creation of this post will hopefully allow us to build on what is already a good resource, in the Warehouse."

The aim is to present Ilkley and Addingham youngsters with a wider variety of opportunities.

This could include strengthening links with other organisations. "Perhaps exchanges could be organised with youngsters overseas for example," said the spokesman.

The creation of the post has been welcomed by both the Ilkley Youth and Community Association and Ilkley Parish Council.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.