Otley'S largest public venue is at risk of losing its public entertainment licence.

Unless work is carried out immediately on its up to 40 years old electrical systems, Otley Civic Centre could be closed as a public venue.

The town council, which is currently investigating the possibility of a new centre following its notice to quit the building, is now working with owners Leeds City Council to come up with a plan for what urgently needs doing.

Councillor Jim Spencer, chairman of the council's Executive Committee, said the council would spend what was necessary to keep the building open.

"We are in the process of trying to find out what needs to be done. We have nowhere else to go and we have a responsibility to provide a public facility.

"This building will close, but only when the new one opens and we are committed to that."

Coun Spencer acknowledged that the work could cost many thousands of pounds but added that the council had money in its reserves to cover such unexpected costs.

But he added: "We don't want to get into the situation where we're sucked into spending more and more money on the building. We need to know from the city council that there is a possibility of getting somewhere else."

A report to a recent meeting of the council's Civic Centre Committee said that in order for the building to maintain its public entertainment licence a check of the electrical systems in public areas needed to be carried out.

And following an investigation by city council engineers, problems with the system were highlighted resulting in the recommendation of a full rewiring.

The report said the electrical system was 'elderly' and had been added to bit by bit during the last 30 to 40 years. It added that if emergency work was not done the centre could have its entertainment licence taken away.

In addition, security has been stepped up at the Cross Green building following two break ins and a review taken of its fire safety precautions.

Holes in the centre's security were exposed when thieves managed to get into the building on two separate occasions and steal the town council's safe and computer equipment.

It is believed thieves hid themselves in the building at the end of last year and came out after everyone was gone and in the new year thieves got in again after apparently propping open fire doors.

Following the break-ins, which resulted in the loss of a ceremonial trowel and computer equipment, the council has changed the way the building is closed down at the end of the day making it impossible for anyone to hide inside the building.

In addition, the set up of security cameras has been changed and changes to the building's entrance.

A fire safety report of the whole building has recommended fire training for council officers in evacuation procedure and use of fire extinguishers.