A PROPER tourist information service for Otley should be up and running in the New Year.

Seven months after the tourist office in Boroughgate was shut and five months after it was originally promised by Leeds City Council, a tourist office 'space' should be available at Otley Library.

Leeds Leisure Services says a separate tourist officer will be available at the library once new telephone lines have been installed.

Meanwhile, telephone callers to Otley Tourist Office are being re-directed to Leeds Tourist Office or being helped by Otley library staff.

Other unofficial tourist information is being handed out by shopkeepers in the town including Wharfedale Newspapers.

A spokesman for Leeds Leisure Services department said: "A Otley Tourist Information service is currently being

provided for Otley by staff at Gateway Yorkshire and by library staff, who have answered enquiries about the town.

"Until extra telephone cables have been installed, calls to the Otley Tourist Information Centre number are being

automatically diverted to Gateway Yorkshire.

"The full service will be available at the library from Monday, 15 January."

The award winning tourist office in Boroughgate was closed in May last year without consultation.

The building is now occupied by the Leeds One Stop Shop, which provides services including housing and council tax inquiries.