The chairman of Haworth Parish Council has warned that hard questions must be answered before any new community emergency service can be set up in the village.

Councillor John Huxley was commenting on a project to salvage provision from the planned closure of Haworth Fire Station.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service announced it was recommending the closure to help cut costs, though agreed to delay the measure for two years after strong opposition.

People have backed the formation of a group to conduct a feasibility study into launching a ‘first responder-style’ community emergency service.

Coun Huxley told a meeting of Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council: “This is a very, very hot potato – it’s not going to be easy.

“But what we’re doing is what this particular Government is asking us to do – taking responsibility for ourselves.”