A Haworth car park owner says his subscriptions to a tourism group should not be used to fund a bus service.

Ted Evans told a meeting of the Keighley and Haworth Tourism Management Group: "My business is car parks and I do not want to discourage cars from coming to the village."

But Graham Mitchell, who helped set up the Haworth Hoppa service to deter people from using their cars, replied: "If Mr Evans objects to his funds going towards this bus then I shall personally cover his expenses."

The argument came as Mr Mitchell told the group that the Haworth Hoppa bus will operate again this year despite running at a loss.

Despite the shortfall, the number 812 bus, which runs between Haworth railway station and Stanbury on Sundays and Bank Holidays from April to September, has been hailed a great success by members.

Mr Mitchell told them that fares revenue from April 12 to September 27 last year was £994.80. The operational costs amounted to £2,073, leaving a shortfall of £1,128.20 which was covered by Keighley Area Panel.

He said: "Without the area panel the bus would not have survived. But it is now an established service and I believe we can continue to increase fares."

However, he estimated the shortfall for the coming year at £1,203.

Patrick Lawton, of Keighley Area Panel, said it would be unable to meet the full cost of the shortfall for the coming year. "We may only be able to offer around 50 per cent," he said.

Mr Mitchell said he had been in discussions with Metro about receiving help from them. The group decided it would invite a representative from Metro to the next meeting.

Mr Evans also suggested that a vehicle from the vintage bus museum could be used instead of the Hoppa. But Mr Mitchell said that, because of the age and condition of the buses and the terrain they must travel, this would not be possible.

He also argued that the group was already funding the bus at an amount of £1 per passenger.

Worth Valley Councillor Mike Young said: "This is a real success story and it is something we should continue to support because there are areas that cars cannot get to."

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