BRADFORD Council has said it would be willing to publicise Ilkley Moor grouse shoots, on condition that there was no possibility of disorder from anti-bloodsports protests.

The authority spoke out after anti-shooting group Ban Bloodsports on Ilkley Moor (BBIM) filed a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman challenging the council's policy of not publicising grouse shoot dates.

BBIM (pictured) claims members of walking and running groups are among those calling for a change in policy, following concerns that unexpected encounters with firearms on the publicly-owned moor would cause fear and distress.

Landowner Bradford Council awarded the grouse shooting rights for Ilkley Moor to the Bingley Moor Partnership in 2008 on a ten year lease.

Bradford Council's Countryside and Rights of Way Manager, Danny Jackson, said: "The Council would be happy to publicise the shooting dates in advance if there was no possibility of disorder on public land as a result of anti-shooting protests. Sadly, this is not the case and the BBIM campaign have confirmed their intention to continue disrupting shoots as long as grouse shooting is allowed.

"In deciding not to publicise, the Council has been mindful of advice from the police and our own Local Access Forum."

BBIM spokesman Luke Steel said: "Members of local walking and running clubs and Bradford Council's own Scrutiny Committee have requested grouse shooting dates for Ilkley Moor are advertised in the interest of safety."

The group is also hoping for a review of heather burning on the moor as part of an update of the wider Ilkley Moor management plan.