Community leaders who hope to revive the town's former council in a bid to tackle local problems, boost development and help groups, held a public meeting to gather residents' views last week.

More than 2,500 signatures from Pontefract people are now needed to kick-start the legal procedure that could bring the authority back to life.

Bill O'Brien, secretary of Pontefract Forward – the steering group behind the bid – said: "A town council would give Pontefract a voice that would be heard in all forums locally and nationally.

"It would be consulted on health, education and transport issues. Our meeting was well attended and we had a mixed response.

"Some were opposed because of the precept or concerns over elected members.

"But the majority were supportive, with reservations about knowing more and we have now launched our petition."

Ten people who attended the meeting have also now joined Pontefract Forward – which plans to pay for the extra layer of government with a town council precept.

Volunteers also hope that Pontefract would be divided into wards if the town council was given the green light.

Mr O'Brien added: "The precept could be about 60 pence per week or £400,000 annually – that would give us enough funding to run the town hall as a headquarters and employ part time staff.

"In our petition we will explain to residents why we want to create it, the benefits of a town council as well as its boundary and who would be involved.

"Hopefully the petition will be complete by September then it could take 18 months before we have an election.

"Wakefield Council needs to ensure that the majority of people want this town council."

The old Pontefract Town Council was axed in 1974 in a local government shake-up.

Legislation on larger towns restricted Pontefract from having its own council status until a recent revision of the law.

Mr O'Brien added that more recruits were needed to join Pontefract Forward.

He said "More people are needed to look at different aspects of the council so when people ask questions, we have answers.

"We will hold public meetings around the town to make it more convenient for people to have their say."

For more details, or to join Pontefract Forward, call Mr O'Brien on 01977 709868.