Councillors last night agreed that bosses at the authority should work towards a sustainable future for Bingley Market, and welcomed interest from local businesses in taking it over.

But during a heated debate, Labour and Conservative councillors were split on how that should be achieved.

The Conservatives, who tabled the motion, accused the Labour-controlled authority of taking too long over the decision. While Labour accused the Tories of scaremongering as the market was not actually threatened with closure – they just wanted traders to take on the setting up and taking down of stalls.

The Labour amendment to the original motion won through, which resolved that while it preferred to retain public services under direct control, alternative approaches would be considered.