A visitor to Haworth, the area's biggest tourist attraction, has slammed their day in the village and branded it "a sad experience."

In a letter to the Keighley News the 'Concerned Visitor' writes: "I had the misfortune to visit Haworth recently and I can only say what a sad experience it became."

The author parked in the Rawdon Road car park which was described as a battlefield "covered with litter, dog mess, mud, rubble and even an old settee."

The author says a footpath leading from the car park was in a similar state and would constitute a dangerous obstacle course for an elderly or infirm person.

The letter continues: "How can local people put up with this eyesore so close to Bront Parsonage, such an important literary shrine, known and loved throughout the world.

The letter writer concludes: "Please do something. Haworth is too important to be spoilt by this mess."

The Rawdon Road car park is privately owned by local businessman Ted Evans. Along with his son, Gareth, he runs the large car park which caters for tourists and locals alike.

Gareth, speaking on his father's behalf, says he frequently calls the council out to remove rubbish that is fly-tipped.

He says: "It's a constant battle for me. I moved a load of stuff the other day. There were a whole lot of tourist information leaflets and I don't know how they all got there."

He adds: "I know it's bad but it's a big piece of land. I have a lad working on Sundays, but it's only one day a week."

He says that the area where there is most rubbish, including a settee, is fenced off and is not part of the car park.

Mike Hill, director of the Bront Parsonage Museum, says that he is concerned to see the whole of Haworth in a good state as it is an important tourist attraction.

He says: "It's a very important site for people from all around the world. We get people coming to us from all over the world, and we also have complaints from around the world, unfortunately."

He adds: "We really need everybody to work together."

Councillor Barry Thorne, executive member for culture, heritage and leisure, says: "It's a real pity that the owner of this site can't keep it clean. It creates a very bad impression for the tourists from all over the world who visit Haworth."

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