SO a major redevelopment of Otley's riverside, whatever the final details may turn out to be, now looks certain.

There is, as Leeds planners have noted since the housing, office and leisure plans for Garnett's 15-acre plot were first floated, a great opportunity here.

The chance to open up a prime part of Otley's riverside to the public, and, of course, attract more visitors with some much-needed spending power to the town, is one that shouldn't be wasted. But the briefest of glances at the outline permission granted to the scheme, which has no fewer than 37 conditions attached, should leave no-one in any doubt as to the scale of work that still needs to be done.

Traffic and parking issues, as have been so eloquently highlighted by Manor Street residents recently, are just some of the serious hurdles that have to be overcome - not to mention land decontamination and drainage.

Let's hope the developers, who have made all the right noises so far in terms of wanting to work with the community, can come up with some imaginative and effective solutions.

And while it will be sad to see one of Otley's biggest and oldest employer's, Garnett's, move out we can only hope the funds from the redevelopment will, as the company claims, allow it to forge ahead with confidence from a new base near Pool-in-Wharfedale.

A Yeadon church is attempting to reach out to more people by switching its traditional Sunday morning service to the afternoon. Timed to coincide with the 4pm closing of the 'cathedrals' of modern times - the supermarkets and DIY stores - the intention is that people will hopefully find the new time more in keeping with their hectic lives.

Although many may well find the actions of the New Life Community Church a step too far, others will welcome it. After all, even Sunday footballers might want to attend church from time to time.