TALKS have taken place to try and find an alternative for tourist information services in Haworth after Bradford Council confirmed the village’s Visitor Information Centre is to close.

The council said last week that negotiations to transfer the threatened centre’s management to the Bronte Society had come to an end without any agreement being reached.

No date has yet been given for when the premises will shut.

But Keighley MP John Grogan said: “Following the announcement I have had a number of discussions with Bradford Council, the Bronte Society and the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

“The latter two organisations have a long standing partnership and have worked together closely for many years.

“Tourism is key to the economic health of the Worth Valley.

“I am hopeful that an alternative way can be found in the village to provide information about and to promote the Bronte Parsonage Museum, the railway and other local attractions.

“The existing premises of the Visitor Information Centre are ideally situated in the heart of Haworth and the building could still be part of the solution.

“I am confident a firm proposal will emerge in the coming weeks.

“Bradford Council have advised me that in the meantime they will keep open the existing office for some months yet.”

Worth Valley district and parish councillors have spoken of the importance of the Visitor Information Centre, pointing out that it is the busiest facility of its kind in Bradford district.

Ward councillor Rebecca Poulsen said it was “short sighted” to axe something which contributes so heavily to the local economy.

But Bradford Council responded that it has having to do things differently in order to sustain massive cuts in funding from central government.