CAMPAIGNERS seeking a ban on grouse shoot on Ilkley Moor are to stage a protest in Bradford ahead of council elections on May 5.

They will gather outside City Hall at noon on Saturday holding signs that read 'Be a symbol of hope: ban grouse shooting' and carrying flaming torches.

Their aim is to urge Bradford Council candidates to back an end to grouse shooting on Ilkley Moor, which they say decreases wildlife biodiversity, degrades rare habitat and pollutes the public land with toxic lead shot.

Ban Bloodsports on Ilkley Moor (BBIM) spokesman, Luke Steele, said: "Bradford Council allows grouse shooting on Ilkley Moor at a great cost.

"The reckless practice harms wildlife, including declining meadow pipit, dunlin and birds of prey, degrades rare peatland bog and pollutes the public land with toxic lead shot. We ask election candidates to be a symbol of hope for Ilkley Moor's wildlife by backing an end to grouse shooting."

The campaign has the support of several Ilkley candidates.

Kerry McCarthy MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, is also writing to current Bradford Council leader, Cllr David Green, urging him to spell out the council's intentions for the future of grouse shooting.

Ilkley Moor is the last municipal moorland in the UK where grouse shooting is still permitted.