OTLEY Lions and Santa have thanked local residents for their support.

The club helped Santa make his usual pre-Christmas visits to streets in Otley and Pool-in-Wharfedale in December.

They also helped set up his local grottoes. Those efforts have raised £5,000 which will be used to support self-help groups who are in need of equipment or funding and young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 25, through a grants scheme.

Otley Lions’ Vice President, Richard Phillips, said: “The scheme is open to applicants from Otley, Pool, Burley and Menston. If you are in doubt as to your eligibility by all means please contact us at our bookshop on Mercury Row, Otley or e-mail Otleylionsclub@outlook.com.”