A LAST ditch attempt has been launched to return a historic snooker table to Otley.

The full-sized mahogany table, produced by Hixon & Sons in about 1905, was removed from the Civic Centre some years ago after enduring a long period of neglect and water damage.

It was originally bought for £60 - about £5,000 in today's money - by members of the Mechanics' Institute's Recreation Room more than a century ago, when thirty members each paid £2.

Since its removal from the Civic Centre, the artefact has been lovingly restored by Liverpool-based firm EasySnooker who had hoped someone from Otley would express an interest in buying it.

Despite the best efforts of restorer Tom Manning, however, no local buyer has been found - so he has been forced ("reluctantly and with a heavy heart") to put the table up for sale online.

He said: "I am a bit gutted that the good folk of Yorkshire didn't embrace the Otley Mechanics' Institute table, which I've put on a thirty day sale on ebay.

"I am willing to knock a thousand pounds off the asking price (£4,950, including delivery and installation) if someone or a group in the local area wants to purchase the table."

Listed as item number 152193456782, the 12ft table's ebay description states that it 'comes with a letter of authenticity from when it was purchased by the Otley Mechanics' Institute'.

The listing is due to end in a matter of days, on September 3, but Give Otley its Town Hall! campaign Chairman Tom Featherstone has not given up hope of bringing it back.

He is appealing for help online and has posted a Twitter message that reads: "Can anybody or any group in #Otley help?

"Together can we purchase this with a £1,000 discount and bring it back home?"

He added: "It would be such a shame if we lost it."

Anyone interested in buying the table can contact Mr Manning by visiting easysnooker.co.uk or calling (0151) 494 0213.