Proposals for a bridge over the River Wharfe at Burley-in-Wharfedale have gone on display in the village library.

The scheme, which is being put forward by the Ramblers' Association, will be submitted for planning approval soon and could bring to an end a century of campaigning for a safe crossing.

At the moment, the river at Burley-in-Wharfedale can only be crossed via stepping stones, which campaigners say are nearly always flooded and impossible to use.

In a statement, the Ramblers' Association describes the proposed bridge as "an elegant curved structure spanning the river and the washland meadows to the north."

The bridge will be on a series of piers to raise it to the height above the river flood level required by the Environment Agency.

It will be a bridleway bridge with room for walkers, horse riders and cyclists to pass, and on its upstream side there will be a viewing terrace providing a vista of the river, the weir and Ilkley Moor in the background.

In a statement, the Ramblers' Association said: "The bridge will give walkers a much needed link from Burley-in-Wharfedale to the Nidderdale AONB at the other side of the River Wharfe.

"Walkers from Bradford and Leeds will be able to leave their cars at home, use the frequent rail or bus services to Burley and cross the bridge into the attractive countryside north of the river.

"The delightful Washburn Valley and adjacent moors will be within easy walking distance throughout the year along lanes and meadow paths with fine views."

The association says local people will be able to enjoy the views from the bridge's terrace, and will also benefit from a virtual doubling of the village's footpath network.

The association says: "Burley-in-Wharfe-dale is the only major settlement on the Wharfe without a bridge over the river. The nearest crossings are at Otley and Ben Rhydding. For over a hundred years there has been a campaign for a bridge across the Wharfe at Burley."

In recent years, the campaign has been spearheaded by the Burley Bridge Association. The Ramblers' Association says its scheme has the full support of the BBA, as well as the British Horse Society and representatives of the cycling community.

Keith Wadd, chairman of the West Riding Area of the Ramblers' Association said: "A bridge over the River Wharfe at Burley is a matter of regional importance and long overdue.

"When the bridge is built, walkers will be able to get off the train at Burley and walk straight into the nearby Nidderdale AONB. People will at last be able to plan walks that start from Burley knowing that they will be able to cross the river at all times. And there will be many benefits for people who live in Burley."

The organisation intends to raise money for the bridge through grants and public subscriptions.