A GROUP dedicated to maintaining an Otley nature area is celebrating a funding boost.

Otley Beer Festival presented the Friends of Gallows Hill with a cheque for £100 - part of the proceeds from the 2016 event - this week.

Members of Otley RATS, which organises the festival, handed over the money to members of the Friends group at Gallows Hill on Monday.

Friends of Gallows Hill member Karen Rumsey said: "We are grateful to Otley Beer Festival for their donation.

"Along with developing the new community orchard and forest garden areas, and organising a programme of events held at the site, we have ambitions to create two new ponds and a dipping platform to provide families with access to the water's edge to safely explore the pond life.

"This donation will help make this project go ahead."

Paul Briscoe of Otley RATS said: "Each year, in addition to our major beneficiaries, the beer festival committee identifies a few local good causes to support with smaller donations.

"On this occasion we especially wanted to support the Friends in their plan to make new ponds and install a dipping platform, which will obviously benefit the entire community."

Based by the River Wharfe off Pool Road, Gallows Hill is owned by Otley Town Council.

Council Chair Councillor Ray Georgeson (Lib Dem, Danefield) said: "I was delighted to host this cheque presentation.

"Otley Beer Festival and Gallows Hill are two of my favourite Otley things, what a winning combination!

"I know the Friends will put this generous donation to good use and now of course I'm looking forward to this year's beer festival and supporting more good causes while having a good time.

"Both groups epitomise the best of Otley as a very social and community minded place, long may they continue to enjoy success."