THE man with the task of im-proving the image of Bradford and district has been invited to see the 'jewel in its crown.'

Owen Williams, Bradford Council's new marketing and communications director, will find an invitation from Ilkley's Liberal Democrats on his desk when he takes up his new post next month.

At an Ilkley Parish Council meeting, Coun Tracy Keeley said she and her colleagues had invited Mr Williams for two reasons.

She said it would be an oppor-tunity to show him just how much Ilkley had to offer.

Coun Keeley said the town boasted wonderful shopping facilities, amazing countryside, particularly the moorland and the River Wharfe.

She also said the town could look forward to the completion of the Darwin Gardens project. Coun Keeley said a visit from Mr Williams would allow him to meet Ilkley's best asset - its people. However, she said the visit would not simply be an opportunity to show the town off.

She said: "I have heard it said that Ilkley is Bradford's 'Jewel in the Crown.' It is right to say that even the most splendid of jewels needs polishing from time to time. Ilkley is no different."

"Mr Williams should come to Ilkley to see for himself that as a tourist town Ilkley needs at the very least, the following: Decent toilet facilities and a decent station to arrive at.

"What we as Liberal Democrats want is for Owen Williams to fly the flag for Ilkley town and the whole of the Ilkley parish area," said Coun Keeley.

She said she wanted Mr Wil-liams to be promoting Ilkley's interests as widely as possible. She also hoped he would visit the other areas within the Ilkley district, including Ben Rhydding, Menston and Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Parish council chairman Coun Kate Brown said she would be interested to hear what Mr Williams had to say if and when the invitation was taken up.

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