A RETAIL health check report on Craven's major shopping centres which cost £32,000 was criticised for stating the obvious.

However, council officers said the report presented to councillors was only a summary and the detailed report had useful analysis.

Members of Craven District Council's performance and resources committee said the executive summary, drawn up by Leeds consultants Donaldsons, resembled an A' level essay rather than the detailed study they were expecting.

Coun Chris Knowles-Fitton said: "We spent £32,952 getting this report. Well, I don't think we got very much for our money.

"I think most of what it tells us is self-evident. I think it's a huge amount of money for not a lot in return."

Coun Mark Wheeler said he was staggered when he saw the report: "I think we could have done this report ourselves. I thought it was an A' level project. They have just stated the absolute obvious."

But Matthew Collins, from the council's planning department, said the executive summary was simply a summing up of the actual document, which included some 600 pages of detailed analysis.

Coun Robert Heseltine said he had seen the full report for Skipton town centre.

"I have to say I thought it would be a very useful planning document in the future," he said.

"The full document is very much value for money and I would recommend all members read it.

"I was surprised at what it said about Ingleton. What Ingleton promotes and achieves is an example to the rest of the country," he added.

Coun Heseltine said Skipton was a thriving and vibrant shopping area and the council ought to concentrate its efforts on the viability and improvement of the secondary shopping areas in the district.

Leader of the council, Carl Lis, said he thought Donaldsons had done themselves no favours with the executive summary.

But Craven District Council chief executive Gill Dixon said she had read the full report and it was a comprehensive study.

"I would recommend that we receive the study and then we need to look at it and take forward the recommendations that we think are right and also look at the ones we don't think are right," she added.

Examples from the report included: "Skipton is a healthy and vibrant town which provides essential shopping facilities for its residents and those located within what is a relatively large catchment area.

"Skipton's historical attributes, attractive setting and strategic location as the 'gateway to the dales' make it a honey-pot for tourists and day-trippers.

"Skipton is a centre for leisure activity, both in terms of evening entertainment and sporting facilities."

On Settle, the report stated: "Settle is a very attractive town both architecturally and in respect of the stunning scenic backdrop within which it is situated.

"Tourism is a key aspect of Settle and there are a number of shops offering high quality niche market products. The potential environmental improvements, particularly to the Market Place, some of which can be carried out relatively quickly and cheaply, could do much to enhance the attractiveness of the town centre."

The report also comments on Bentham, Cross Hills and Ingleton.