Tourism guardians want to get “under the skin” of the tourist havens of Haworth, Ilkley and Otley.

They want residents to help visitors get a true sense of the places, beyond the likes of the world famous Bronte Parsonage Museum, the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and Ilkley Moor.

West Yorkshire Tourism Partnership and Welcome to Yorkshire are collecting the information to build up an intimate picture of the areas.

And their inhabitants are being asked to share their ideas of what makes them special and so help to generate more income from visitors. Tony Venables at Venables Bainbridge Books in Main Street, Haworth, said: “There is nowhere else like this place. It’s a bit bohemian. It’s not just the tourist elements – we all know about that.

“What visitors don’t see is the community which is so diverse. It’s attracted a lot of interesting and intelligent people to come and live here – you just have to visit the Fleece pub and speak to locals and you’ll find lecturers, architects, artists and musicians.”

For Barbara Pearson, of Mytholmes, Haworth, who has lived in the area for most of her life, it is the moors and those other areas most visitors do not see. “Like The Goit, a walk along the side of the railway which takes you to Oxenhope. Visitors just don’t get there,” she said.

Nick Hindle, of the Fleece pub, has been a resident for eight years and for him it is the local characters who add spice.

He said: “There are some really interesting people which helps add to the sense of community you get here.”

Project manager Susan Briggs said: “The first part of this is to find out ‘what makes the area special’ from the point of view of the people who know it best – the residents.

“We’re asking for information about quirky or interesting or just favourite things about the area to help tourists really get a true sense of place.

“It may be a great view from an unusual vantage point, a fantastic farm shop or hidden gallery or perhaps a walk that only locals know about.”

The information would be collated to build an intimate picture of the area which would be made available to businesses to help them develop the area’s sustainable tourism, she added.

“Working out the small details that fit together to give the area its character and ‘sense of place’ means that visitors will get a better feel for ‘Pennine Yorkshire’, developing a real affinity for the area and hopefully staying longer and spending more.”

Anyone with a view can e-mail susan@tourismnetwork.co.uk or visit the website knowpennineyorkshire.com.