Members of an Ilkley opera company are singing with joy after finding a temporary new home where they can hold rehearsals.

Twenty members of Yorkshire OperaShop, run by former international soprano Pamela Cotton, agreed to vacate their former rehearsal studio in Pegholme Mills, Ilkley Road, Otley, after businesses in the complex complained about the noise.

As the deadline for leaving loomed closer, Bradford and Ilkley Community College stepped in with an offer of a temporary solution.

And Yorkshire OperaShop members have already moved their equipment into a new rehearsal room at Ilkley College which they will use until next August.

Ms Cotton said: "We are delighted to have found somewhere but, with the college due to close, we will not be there that long."

Yorkshire OperaShop puts on about four performances a year of excerpts from the major operas. It also uses St John's Hall in Bolling Road, Ben Rhydding, for rehearsals.

One drawback to the move from Otley is that Ms Cotton will be forced to sell the company's grand piano, which will not fit into the new rehearsal room.

And after the college closes in May, Yorkshire OperaShop will have to move again to make room for the developers to move in.

Ms Cotton said she hoped someone in the Ilkley area might have a venue to offer the company. Anyone who can help is invited to call her on (01943) 603490.

"Any venue where approximately 20 to 30 could sing, such as a hall or barn in or around Ilkley, would be ideal," said Ms Cotton.

Ms Cotton, who lives at Crossbeck Road, Ilkley, has taken major roles with the English National Opera and Scottish Opera. She won the Vaughan Williams scholarship to study under Pavarotti's teacher, Campo Galliani, in Italy before joining the National Opera Company of Sweden.

She retired from singing in 1985 and took up teaching. She formed Yorkshire OperaShop with the aim of introducing and promoting opera and classical music in the region.

Ms Cotton is a firm believer in the power of the arts and music to bring people together.

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