A BUYER with deep pockets is being sought to take over the running of a youth hostel.

Despite a concerted effort by local authorities and the Wensleydale business community to prompt a change of heart, the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) confirmed earlier this year that the facilities at Aysgarth, in North Yorkshire, would be sold to balance its books.

The 2001 foot-and-mouth crisis cost the organisation £5m and the YHA said it needed to dispose of some of its assets.

Aysgarth was among ten hostels to be sold because it needed extensive work to meet modern standards.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, North Yorkshire County Council and Richmondshire District Council backed an unsucceeful campaign to find £700,000 to cover the cost.

The YHA is looking for offers of about £600,000.

Regional manager Simon Ainley said: "The YHA has its own enterprise scheme which would be able to assist a buyer and work with them on the business, but they would still need to have plenty of capital."

If the building is unsold after six months, the YHA will be able to apply for a change of use.