Organisers of Bingley Show have spurned an offer by a businessman to move it back to Myrtle Park this year.

International textile boss Mark Holmes has bought the land off Ireland Bridge, next to the Brown Cow pub in Bingley, which is used for access to the park by horse boxes.

Previous owner Stephen Brett had told organisers he would prefer them not to cross his land this year - a decision which the Telegraph & Argus understands was made because of the house sale.

Organisers said their controversial decision to move the show to Bradford & Bingley rugby ground had resulted from that and other fears over Health and Safety considerations.

But it upset traders who feared business would be sucked out of the town, and antagonised residents near the rugby ground.

Mr Holmes has now met president of Airedale Agricultural Society Donald Jagger and Bingley Town Centre manager David Dinsey to outline his proposals.

He said: "I'm an old Bradfordian and my father Keith used to take me to the show as a small boy.

"I said that in principle I didn't have a problem although I wanted to know what was involved in allowing access to my land and if the organisers could give me assurances about safety.

"The show attracts 17,000 visitors and I didn't want Bradford Council (which maintains the park) or traders to lose out.

"There is a tradition of holding the show at the park for over 100 years and I think it is quite sad that the tradition is going to change."

He said he was revealing his intentions to coincide with tonight's Airedale Agricultural Society meeting at Bingley Town Hall.

But Mr Jagger, who relinquishes the presidency this evening, said: "We are a long way down the road with our commitment to the Bradford & Bingley rugby ground and it would be very difficult to change.

"But we are delighted that Mr Holmes is supporting Bingley.

He is an old Bradfordian and where we hold next year's show will be reviewed.

"It's a personal view but it may be that the rugby ground is a better position - it's got a good flat area whereas the park is on two levels."

Mr Dinsey added: "I'm disappointed they now feel it's too late in the day to bring it back to Myrtle Park however I would still ask the show's organisers to rethink their decision."

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