Vibrant Settle – aimed at bringing the community together – has brought free WiFi to the town centre.

The project, which was launched by MP Julian Smith on Saturday, has been undertaken in conjunction with Jeremy Taylor, owner of the town hall.

“Settle WiFi was initiated as a project following a chance discussion between Jeremy and myself,” said Steve Amphlett, from Vibrant Settle.

“I was working with Dave Tayler, from Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, on the Settle App and had initiated a Visit Settle Facebook page and was thinking that if either of these initiatives were going to be successful then we would need to improve internet access for visitors to the town. Jeremy was also having thoughts along similar lines.”

With the help of Andrew Laycock, of Craven District Council, a deal was struck with Clannet to supply a system which would be funded by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, but with the ongoing costs being picked up by Vibrant Settle.

“Although we call it ‘free’ WiFi, it will cost us about £1,000 per year to provide the service and we are hoping to attract local sponsors to help us with this cost.

“We have already received donations from the Friends of Upper Ribblesdale and Settle Town Council,” said Mr Amphlett.

The system comprises four antennae – one on each corner of the town hall – which link into a hub in the hall from where connection is made with the telecom network.

“The free WiFi can be accessed anywhere within a reasonable distance that has line-of-sight of at least one of the antennae,” said Mr Amphlett.

“It will be possible, if we choose, to extend the reach of the WiFi and also to make it accessible to the premises of local businesses.”