Dozens of would-be councillors are busy with their last-minute campaigning for this week's parish and town council elections in Ilkley and Otley.

And the candidates have been asking voters going to the polls on Thursday to back them on the basis of their views on a raft of issues ranging from parking in the town centres and public transport to the way in which Bradford's education reorganisation is carried out.

In Ilkley there are elections in the Ben Rhydding, Ilkley North, West, South and Holme wards but no votes will be cast in Menston or Burley-in-Wharfedale wards, where only three candidates have been nominated, all of whom will join the parish council.

Ilkley district Conservative councillor Anne Hawkesworth, who is standing for re-election as a parish councillor for the Ben Rhydding ward, said they were calling for an hour's free parking for residents in the town's main car park. "The main issues are the retention of the Green Belt and the fact that the new parish council will have to face the UDP review process when it starts in the middle of the year," she said.

Peter Cheney, a Labour candidate in Ilkley's West ward, said he was committed to working with local community groups and organisations to achieve a better deal for the town in education, health and environmental issues.

And Caroline Jones, a Liberal Democrat candidate in the Holme ward, said she had been campaigning ''for the voice of the Wharfe Valley to be heard in Bradford'' as well as for better youth facilities, particularly in Burley, and the need for schools reorganisation to be carried out sensitively.

In Otley a total of 15 seats are being contested.

City and town Labour councillor Philip Coyne, who is standing in the Ashfield ward, said: "I've been campaigning on the need for better public transport and for us to work with all groups for the benefit of Otley. We're also committed to increasing accessibility for all in the town and to improving facilities for young people."

John Charnley, who is standing in the Prince Henry ward as an Official Conservative candidate, said he had been campaigning to keep the district's hospital in Wharfedale, for better parking facilities in the town and to fill Otley's empty shop premises.

James Spencer, standing as a Liberal Democrat in the West Chevin ward, is campaigning for an improved transport network in and around the town - including better public transport, a second road bridge over the River Wharfe and a rail link to take gravel away from Midgely Farm.

There will be no elections in Addingham where there are just nine candidates for the 11 seats on its parish council.

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