A scheme which allows people to share skills from babysitting to bereavement counselling is going from strength to strength.

The Wharfe Local Economy Trading Scheme (LETS) covers Otley, Ilkley, Addingham and Skipton and aims to provide a range of services to its members using an alternative method of paying.

Instead of using cash, LETS members pay with a token they call the "Wharfe".

And they can take advantage of all sorts of services and skills, including acupuncture and haircutting, as well as more mundane alternatives like fitting a lightbulb and painting, dog sitting and plant watering.

Roger Wolfe, a LETS member, said there were now more than 60 members of the scheme and they were in the process of setting up a directory listing all the services available.

"It's the kind of things that people need like babysitting and watering plants while you're on holiday, but you don't pay cash - you pay with Wharfes," said Mr Wolfe.

He added that the scheme, which has been going for about three years, was gradually growing as more and more people got to know about it. Also on offer is the use of a kiln, gardening and child-minding as well as meditation teaching.

One of the most popular services was babysitting but general household jobs such as changing lightbulbs was also a favourite with older people who were not always confident about dealing with electricity, said Mr Wolfe.

A stall at the recent Otley Green Fair at the Civic Centre attracted more than 50 people keen to find out more about LETS. And a cabaret-style event is due to take place on Friday, April 23, from 8pm at The Labour Rooms, Nelson Street in Otley.

The event, which is also designed to give people a chance to learn more about the scheme, is open to anyone who would like to sing, tell a story, recite poetry or even play an instrument. The cost is £2. For more details, contact Pat Foster on (01943) 464445 or Paul on (01943) 817653.

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