BURLEY Bridge Association is seeking charity status, has commissioned an ecology report and is planning a fundraising coffee morning next month as it continues its drive for a footbridge across the River Wharfe.

Since it gained planning permission in February, the committee has been busy preparing for the next stages in the campaign.

An application is being arranged to register as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, under the Charities Commission. This will give greater legal protection to the association, will allow it to claim Gift Aid on donations and could open additional sources of funding.

An ecology report has been commissioned, which centres on the area around the stepping stones at Greenholme Farm, Leather Bank at Burley-in-Wharfedale. This will be available to read on the association's burleybridge.com website.

The association will hold a coffee morning at St Mary's Parish Rooms in Station Road, Burley-in-Wharfedale, from 9.30am to noon on August 22.

A concert to support the bridge campaign will take place at Salem Church in Burley on October 15.

Burley Bride Association is also seeking new committee members to help it through the next phases.

Contact David Asher on 07551959494 or Peter Young on 07949645494 for further information.