River Wharfe in Ilkley a step closer to securing bathing water status

A stretch of the River Wharfe in Ilkley could be the first in the country to become a designated bathing water spot.

Campaigners want the status so that the river could no longer be used to discharge sewage from storm drains.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has begun an eight-week consultation on the plans.

If bathing water status is granted the water quality in the river would be monitored closely.