TRADERS say they are disappointed that they did not receive more support from shoppers at a late-night event.

Bob Alcantarilla, chairman of Ilkley Business Forum, said: "It was a great shame that we did not have more support from local people.

"There is more to Ilkley than the Grove and Brook Street. There were people phoning me up wanting to know where the punters were."

Many Ilkley shops stayed open until 9pm on Tuesday in a bid to catch late-night Christmas trade.

Traders had hoped to cash in on Christmas spirit and that townsfolk would flock to the event.

A group of carol singers and a bagpipe player were brought in as added attractions.

But the crowds mainly stayed away and traders complained that the event could have been better attended.

It is thought that rainy weather could also have dampened enthusiasm for the event.

Other traders agreed that the cash registers were not ringing quite so loudly as hoped.

Sue McIntyre, office co-ordinator at Woolworths, on Brook Street, said the store had taken even less money than last year, when the event was hit by below zero temperatures.

She said: "The weather could have been a contributory factor. It was blowing a gale.

"I also did not see any signs in shop windows so maybe people did not know about it."

The event, which was advertised in numerous newspapers and radio programmes, was also a let down for gift shop Studio 68.

A spokeswoman said: "It was a bit

disappointing.

"I do not think a lot of people knew about it. The weather did not help. It absolutely threw it down."

Mr Alcantarilla said he wished to thank all those traders who had opened late.

l Thankfully, there was no repeat of the recent fiasco when shoppers stumped up cash to park their cars in Ilkley, when it should have been free.

Bradford City Council's, car park department had failed to place signs on the machines, informing people that parking was free. A spokesman for Bradford City Council said: "I am assured that the notices were in place. The situation last week was due to the fact that the foreman had the day off and there was a breakdown in communication.

"A request has been made by Coun Ann Hawksworth that the revenue collected on that day be given back to Ilkley, via the parish council.That is currently being considered."

South Hawksworth Street and Railway Road car parks will next be free from noon on December 19 and 20, as well as all day on Sundays December 17 and 24.