HARDLY a day goes past in Otley at the moment without yet another fire apparently being deliberately started.

It seems as if the town is in the grip of a group of firebugs whose main pleasure it is to go around se-ting light to derelict buildings, rubbish skips - and now it seems the half built new Wharfedale Hospital.

Otley people are beginning to get twitchy - after all, so far no one has died in any of these fires - a total of 75 al-ready this year, compared to 56 in 2002.

But even though investigations are ongoing and people have been questioned, still the fires go on - and just how long will it be before someone is killed?

The fire at the new hospital is believed to have been deliberate. Fortunately, no one was inside at the time and no one was hurt, but what if the fire had been started in the present hospital?

The police can't be everywhere, guarding every derelict or empty building, so everyone has got to be vigilant and report anyone they see acting suspiciously - until whoever is responsible is caught.

Change is working

ALMOST a year after the re-organisation of Otley primary schools provision, people have apparently adjusted to the change.

Despite a great amount of controversy at the time and efforts to keep them open, two of the town's schools closed. Those sites are now likely to be re-developed for housing .

The change over was never going to be easy, but All Saints Primary School is clearly thriving - the elements of both former schools going into it to make it an excellent school.

And the other, extended schools are doing equally well. Hopefully, they will continue to flourish and Otley schoolchildren will receive an education second to none. As for the re-dundant sites, it can only be hoped that they will not remain empty for long.