One of the founding members of Burley-in-Wharfedale's Community Council has stepped down after quarter of a century - but vowed to push ahead with a project close to his heart.

John Gundry's decision to retire from the group's committee was announced by chairman Bruce Speed at last week's village annual meeting in Burley Oaks School.

Thanking everyone who served on the Burley Community Council (BCC) committee last year, Mr Speed said: "I particularly want to pay tribute to John Gundry. John was one of the original committee members of BCC, which formed in 1976, and apart from a small break when he was living abroad has been on it ever since.

"His perception of what is important when something is put before him and also his ability to arrange a sound case both in writing and in an open meeting, has been very important to us, nowhere more so than in planning and development matters and the UDP.

"When he puts in a report or stands up to put the case he is listened to with respect by those who are on the receiving end, and we in the village owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude.

"He deserves to put his feet up and let someone else take up the burden."

Those words were greeted with a loud round of applause. Thanking Mr Bruce for his remarks, Mr Gundry warned everyone that they 'wouldn't get rid of him that easily'.

He said: "Staying for 25 years on one committee is pretty ridiculous but it's partly because it is such a good committee to work with, people aren't seeking power or position but working for the village."

He then turned to the latest twist in the long running saga of Burley House Field, the popular green space near the heart of the village which has been a bone of contention between Bradford Council and BCC since 1974.

BCC has been pushing for years to have the remaining portion of the field, off Bradford Road, protected from developers and kept as a recreation ground for future generations.

Mr Gundry, who has been spearheading those efforts, told the meeting that his attempt to persuade Bradford to grant the land Village Green status finally seemed to be gathering momentum.

He said: "We've been working on the field in one way or another for most of the 25 years I've been on the committee, most recently trying to get the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) to recognise that it's recreation land and not building land.

"Now we're applying for village green status I've asked people to write and tell Bradford how much they value this piece of land.

"I've been quite surprised and shaken, really by the number who have, which is around 30 now, and by how varied the letters have been.

"But they all add up to a real demand from this village that this field should be left as it is, and used for the community."