Villagers have welcomed £50,000 plans to turn a former tip into picturesque moorland.

Yorkshire Water owns the old quarry at Gilstead which was licensed as a tip for 20 years.

And it now intends transforming the eyesore by planting almost 2,000 trees and shrubs and native heather which will be added to the site by a process known as "hydro-seeding". That involves heather seeds combined with moorland grass seeds and an adhesive agent being sprayed onto the quarry's slopes.

That will begin once preparatory work on the site has been concluded.

A Yorkshire Water spokesman said: "Once the quarry has been prepared the hydro-seeding and tree planting can begin. Bradford Council, which is carrying out the landscaping work, will be planting selected species of native trees to compliment the heather and moorland grasses. It is anticipated it will take three years for the site to become established.

"Currently there are designated footpaths and bridleways around the quarry, and once the landscaping has been completed residents will be able to enjoy the whole of the area."

David Briggs, chairman of Gilstead Village Society, said: "Everybody is delighted. Re-seeding will improve the appearance of what is a popular place and the nearest open countryside on that side of the village.

"It certainly needed landscaping because it has been an eyesore for many years."

Bevan Robinson, of Otley Road, Eldwick, added: "I think people will be pleased with the plan. The site is an eyesore and this is a step in the right direction."

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