FOR many years now the organisers of Otley Victorian Fayre have struggled to get the support of the community. In the end, it took this year's cancellation of the event for people to actually sit up and shout for its retention and now, after years of it keeping the same format, plans are afoot to radically change it.

Next year, the fayre may be extended to four days and moved forward to the end of November. It is argued that traders think it's a waste of time, because, being so close to Christmas, theoretically the town should be busy anway.

So, providing the idea gets the backing of the community, Otley could have a four-day festival at the end of November. Clearly though, this will need a lot more planning and organising than the old fayre. The fayre obviously brings a lot of much needed trade into the town and if it is to come back bigger and better next year it will need the support of a lot more people - and not just the very small band of volunteers who currently put it together.

Otley Town Council is looking at making changes to busy Kirkgate - expanding the pavement on one side and moving the market stall holders. The idea is to make it easier for people to move up and down the pavement without getting caught up behind market shoppers.

With any change, the proposals are bound to stir up feelings. But before anything happens, those involved will be asked to comment. Clearly, something needs to be done, and while we're at it, why not encourage the stall holders to clean up after themselves.

Saturday's market in particular is a disgrace - anyone walking through the town could be excused for thinking they'd arrived in a former Eastern bloc country.

As the row about Otley's Christmas lights - or lack of them - continues unabated, it is interesting to see some householders have put the town to shame with their own festive displays.

Maybe next year the town council should seek the advice of some of them before deciding how best to decorate the town.