CAMPAIGNERS fighting for a planned safety hub in Haworth are hopeful the scheme will get the green light next month.

They recently met district West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue commander, Martin Speed, as part of efforts to re-open the village's mothballed fire station and use it as a base for community safety volunteers, Police Community Support Officers and a medical first responder.

Fire service bosses have still to agree to the proposals.

But Steve Thorpe, chairman of the Friends of Haworth and Worth Valley Fire Station group, said this decision should be made at a crunch meeting on December 18.

He added: "I'm hoping the shutters will be off the building in the New Year.

"Hopefully, the proposals will be agreed at the December 18 meeting, and we'll have a chance to speak and show them how much passion we have to make this work.

"I am confident. I think everyone does want it to happen, but we are going to have to raise money to fund the upkeep of the building. It's really important for people to get behind us."

He said there are now enough volunteers to get the scheme off the ground, though added any additional people, who would like to become involved, would be welcomed.

Mr Thorpe said a newly-created calendar, specially designed to raise cash for the scheme, was selling well.

It features old and new photographs of different locations in the Worth Valley, and they are available to buy in Worth Valley shops.

Anyone who wants to buy calendars directly from Mr Thorpe, or take a few calendars and sell them for the friends group, can contact him via e-mail at gardening@steve-thorpe.co.uk or by calling 01535 647496.

Haworth Fire Station was shut at the end of last year as part of a major cost-cutting programme.

lWhat do you think? We welcome letters on this or any other subject. E-mail richard.parker@keighleynews.co.uk or write to the Content Editor, Keighley News, 80-86 North Street, Keighley, West Yorkshire BD21 3AG. Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number.