A Government minister pushing to reinvigorate the high street heard about the successes and struggles of business in Ilkley yesterday.

Brandon Lewis joined Ilkley and Keighley MP Kris Hopkins on a walk along The Grove shopping street and met some of the town’s independent traders.

The Under Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government was invited to visit Ilkley and Haworth by Mr Hopkins to find out how the high street in faring.

And he revealed a Government report due out shortly could persuade local authorities to make parking easier for shoppers – possibly relaxing parking regulations.