Silsden Town Council may revive the post of “lengthsman” who used to clean the streets of the town.

Members are looking at employing their own street sweeper amid fears that the next round of Bradford Council cuts could target street cleaning.

They have teamed up with their counterparts on Addingham Parish Council to look at jointly funding a worker.

Silsden chairman Chris Atkinson and Addingham chairman Catherine Coates last week toured the villages investigating the possible duties of a lengthsman.

Coun Atkinson said Bradford Council was faced with cutting millions more pounds from its annual budget and this would potentially have an effect on services received by Silsden and Addingham.

He said many older residents would remember the lengthsman who was a regular sight sweeping the streets of both villages.

“Investigating the idea of a lengthsman with Addingham is an excellent example of forward thinking, and it is a resource that would benefit both Silsden and Addingham,” he added.

Coun Coates said it was important for the parish councils to prepare as well as they could for future cuts.

She added: “It is also important to ensure that town is well kept and its picturesque nature maintained, not only for the residents but also for events such as the various Village in Bloom competitions.”

The next round of budget consultations start in September.