Ilkley is perhaps not a town which is especially geared towards its young people. In fact, there is precious little for most teenagers to do on an evening or at the weekend.

But last week something incredible happened. A well-known rock group staged a concert at the King's Hall - the first of its kind in the town for more than 30 years - and hundreds of youngsters flocked to attend.

Now, with another concert booked for January, Ilkley could soon be back on the rock'n'roll map.

The concert promoters are not suggesting a raucous rock gig every weekend. But the idea of fewer than ten, carefully chosen concerts a year will delight youngsters in the town. Travelling to Leeds and Bradford for gigs is expensive and not an option for many.

And, dare we suggest, the older generation might also be equally heartened by the news. After all, youngsters letting off steam by watching their favourite bands at the King's Hall is far preferable to them hanging around on the streets.

More than half the tickets for last week's concert were sold in Ilkley alone. Other youngsters travelled from around the district to attend the gig. Despite more than 500 youths descending on the town centre, not one incident of bad behaviour was reported.

In the 1960s, Ilkley was well-known for its pulling power as a decent concert venue, attracting legions of bands from all over the country. It now has a chance to revisit that golden era.

The Friends of the Kings Hall/Winter Gardens have done an admirable job with their recent refurbishment and it is to the community's benefit to see the building maximised to its full potential. There is room at this superb venue to accommodate all age groups and plenty of interests - fairs, exhibitions, music recitals and, now, rock concerts.

People of all ages and interests in Ilkley should be able to take full advantage of the magnificent Edwardian complex - and that, we venture to suggest, includes music-loving teenagers.