Villagers are being invited to set out their stalls and have a say on whether Baildon should have a market.

The principle of having an occasional village market has been welcomed by ward councillors but they are calling on residents to put their views forward.

The idea is set to be raised at Tuesday's Baildon Village Neighbourhood Forum, which Malcolm Veigas, head of Bradford Council's markets section, is set to attend as part of the on-going options appraisal being carried out on the future of Shipley's indoor market hall.

The Council's lease agreement on the hall expires next year. Officers are preparing a report on options which include its privatisation, refurbishment, re-location and closure.

Mr Veigas said: "When you look at the demographic spread of people who use the markets and how far they travel, it's obvious that Shipley serves Baildon as a retail centre. As part of the options appraisal we want to find out how people in Baildon feel about market services in Shipley.

"One idea that's come up is for the service, if people want it, to be expanded into other towns and villages across the district to give communities a focus and market-day feel, and that could include Baildon."

Coun John Cole (Lib Dem, Baildon) said: "I am concerned at the way shopping choice has reduced in Baildon over the years so it's certainly worth having a debate on this, and if there is scope for having an occasional market it deserves to be looked at.''

Tuesday's Neighbourhood Forum, at Sandal Primary School in West Lane, Baildon, is set to start at 7.30pm.