An historic part of Guiseley is ready for a Millennium makeover - if residents can come up trumps on the National Lottery.

Plans to rejuvenate the historic Guiseley Wells and return them to their former glory have been approved by Leeds City Council.

Now residents leading the fight to restore the wells will apply for a Lottery grant to pay for the work and turn their dream into reality.

The wells were once an ancient focal point of Guiseley, but together with surrounding paving they require remedial work, due to lack of maintenance.

Originally, Project Guiseley had wanted to clean up the wells in Well Lane and had applied to Leeds City Council to put up 1.8 metre high gates and 1.35m high wall around the site.

But the Guiseley Wells Society opposed the application and as a result both organisations got together and agreed to the new plan, which has been approved by the Council.

The revised scheme involves repairing and refurbishing the well to its original state, before surfacing was laid over part of the stonework to allow vehicles to gain access to the industrial site opposite. But this access has now been closed, allowing the Wells to be brought back to its former glory.

Damaged troughs will be replaced with reclaimed stone, enabling easier future maintenance. A new inscribed stone seat will also be incorporated into the refurbishment.

Project chairman Richard Hughes-Rowlands added: "The idea is to clean and brighten the ancient wells.

"They are not easily spotted by passers-by. We want to indicate the wells are not just a puddle and help them become a feature of Guiseley."

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