A village trust has gone into partnership with businesses in an effort to boost its work supporting community facilities and events.

Burley-in-Wharfedale Community Trust has launched an innovative village discount scheme in partnership with local businesses in a bid to to increase membership.

Membership helps to maintain village assets and events such as the Round House, the Scalebor Pavilion and pitches, Corn Mill Pond, hanging baskets, the Pudding Tree Garden, the Christmas lights and the annual village duck race.

Individuals and families can join the Community Trust for a small annual charge.

In 2014, new and renewing members will also benefit from discounts at many Burley businesses.

Members will receive a sheet of vouchers which can be used for exclusive discounts in several village shops, pubs, restaurants, cafes and takeaways when they present their Community Trust membership scheme.

The Community Trust hopes the discount-voucher scheme will help support village businesses and will also make membership of the Trust more attractive.

The Trust eventually hopes to boost membership to more than 1,000 local residents, which will help to provide an increased sustainable income to support more projects which benefit the community.

Chairman of the Community Trust, Duncan Ault, said: “It’s fantastic that so many Burley businesses are supporting the work of the Community Trust by offering our members exclusive discounts and I want to thank them for participating.

“The village discounts, combined with the launch of our new online membership, will help make it even more attractive and easier for individuals and families to join the Trust and support our work in the village.”

Chris Walker, of Burley Fisheries, hopes the scheme will also make it more attractive for Burley people to shop in the village and support local businesses.

“We’re delighted to be part of the Community Trust voucher scheme and support the valuable work of the Trust,” he said.