A BID to make Otley a 'wildlife friendly' town has been launched.

Otley and Yeadon Green Party announced the plan, along with a call to do more for local flora and fauna, at last weekend's Otley Green Fair.

Town Councillor Mick Bradley (Green, Danefield) said: "Otley can be proud of its natural heritage with two nature reserves, the Chevin, the River Wharfe habitat corridor and beautiful surrounding countryside.

"But we can do so much more to protect and enhance our wildlife, especially in the face of more urban development and the danger of the withdrawal of environmental protections post-Brexit.

"We are already looking at initiatives to encourage bats and swifts in Otley and would like to see more measures which voluntary groups, individuals or schools can easily adopt that help species such as hedgehogs, bees and insects.

"We also already support Gallows Hill Nature Reserve, which is proving so popular.

"There is a great opportunity for closer co-operation between the local authorities and wildlife organisations to raise awareness of the importance of local wildlife and, in due course, we shall be laying out a more detailed plan to make Otley a Wildlife Friendly town."

Cllr Bradley also highlighted the valuable work already being done by groups like Wharfedale Naturalists Society, Friends of Gallows Hill, Friends of Chevin Forest, Wharfedale Beekeepers Association, Otley Wetland Trust and Otley in Bloom.

He added: "There is a wealth of expertise here and we want to encourage and support these groups' work by raising awareness of the value and importance or our wildlife."

To find out more or get involved send an e-mail to Cllr Bradley at contactoygp@yahoo.co.uk .