A Queensbury businessman has pledged £1,000 towards manning its police station and bringing order back to the crime-ridden village.

Residents and business owners are concerned that crime is on the increase because of the lack of a police presence in the village.

The station is currently only used as a drop-in point by priority beat officer PC David Ackroyd and has been unmanned for several years.

Homes and businesses have been hit by a spate of burglaries, muggings and robberies in the past few months.

A cost survey of the existing station in New Park Road, by Bradford North Police has revealed that £15,000 would be enough to make it operational again.

It is hoped that the money will allow a civilian clerk to man the station for part of each day so that people have somewhere to go to report incidents.

And now Paul Cromie, who owns Queensbury MOT Testing Station, in Albert Road, has got the fund started.

He has also promised to contribute £1 from every MOT his garage carries out over the next six months towards the station and will be holding raffles to raise more money for the campaign.

Mr Cromie said: "I'm Queensbury born and bred and a Queensbury business member. I've got two businesses in Queensbury supported by the people and I am just trying to put something back into the community."

Councillor Michael Walls (Con, Queensbury) said he was delighted that the effort to raise the £15,000 had got off to such a flying start.

"It's good to know that a member of the community supports the scheme and is concerned enough to put money on the table," he said.

Mr Cromie and Coun Walls have become joint trustees of an account opened at the village branch of the Yorkshire Bank where contributions can be made.

A petition demanding an active station was started by Queensbury caf owner Stuart Hanson and has been placed in shops across the village.

Bradford North Chief Superintendent Phil Read said: "We are committed to trying to get a base in Queensbury and are examining the main issues surrounding it,including the financial aspects.

"The feedback I am getting is that the local community beat bobby PC Dave Ackroyd is doing a great job and I want to do everything I can to support that."

Owned by the Police Authority, the building needs repairs, improvement and security work done before it can be opened.