Otley'S most famous son Thomas Chippendale has been put behind bars - and not everyone is happy about it.

The statue of the world famous cabinetmaker, next to the old grammar school on Clapgate, has been fenced in by railings as part of extensive renovation work to the listed building.

The architect owners of the old grammar school intend to landscape the area and even highlight the statue with its own floodlighting - giving it more care than it has received for years.

But this week, town councillors were asked to consider whether the statue should be uprooted from where it has stood since 1987 and moved somewhere else.

Ian Andrew of Otley Conservation Task Force told Monday's Environment and Economic Development Committee that some felt the railings were inappropriate.

And he asked councillors whether they thought it would be better in a more open site where people could get up close and touch it if they so desired.

"Unfortunately, the statue has been imprisoned by the railings and looks like it is behind bars," said Mr Andrew.

He said there was no reason why the statue should be in Clapgate, since no one knew for sure where Chippendale was born, and that perhaps it would be better somewhere else.

He added discussions had taken place with The Chippendale Society, which despite having some concerns did not have the funds to move it.

But he suggested if the council agreed and the funding could be found, the statue could be moved to outside the Skipton Building Society, Boroughgate, in the Market Place or somewhere else.

But whereas some councillors agreed, others thought the railings offered it greater protection and finally agreeing to ask the old grammar school owners to shift the railings.

Deputy mayor Councillor Norman Harrison said: "I don't see any reason to move it at all. Bearing in mind the idiot fringe we have in the town, to move it somewhere more open would be a mistake. It's safe and secure where it is at the moment."

And after hearing a move could cost up to £10,000, Councillor Christine Campbell - who pointed out that the statue belonged to the town council - added she would be very much against it.

"I think it is a prime site for the statue to be in and the cost of moving it horrifies me. We've spent so much money on the Jubilee Clock recently that I wouldn't be happy at all about spending this money."

But Coun John Eveleigh thought people should be able to get closer to the statue.

"I think it probably does need moving. We should liberate it, having it behind railings is a bit of a travesty.

"It needs to be somewhere open where people can touch it."

Coun Graham Kirkland suggested that the owners of the old grammar school might be willing to shift the railings and expose the statue once more.

"The easiest thing would be to put the railings behind the statue," he said.

The statue was commissioned by The Sam Chippindale Foundation, set up by Otley born Sam Chippindale who despite sharing the cabinetmaker's name, never claimed to be a direct descendant.

Over the years, it has worn several traffic cones and occasionally sported items of Prince Henry's Grammar School uniform.

Nicky Bamford, of architects David Bamford Partnership, owners of the old grammar school, told the Wharfedale that landscaping was about to start to further enhance the statue.

She added that they were perfectly happy with the statue where it was and believed the railings had added to its security, but would raise no objection if the town council wanted to move it.

She also ruled out moving the railings.

"You can still see old Chippers over the railings and landscaping is due to start next week, we're doing our best here and will even have an outside light shining on him.

"We're quite happy to leave him, or move him."