AN 18-month campaign to save a Dales youth hostel from the axe is over after management confirmed it will definitely close at the end of the year.

The Youth Hostel Association (YHA) facilities at Aysgarth, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire, were among ten listed for closure in the wake of the foot-and-mouth crisis in January last year.

The charity's board said the 2001 outbreak cost the association an estimated £5m and its plans for a rolling improvement programme would be in jeopardy if it did not make economies.

A campaign prompted a stay of execution for Aysgarth. The YHA chose the relaunch of the hostel at Grinton, in neighbouring Swaledale, to confirm it would be working in partnership with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and Richmondshire District and North Yorkshire County Council on possible alternatives to closure.

However, it always insisted Aysgarth would need a substantial makeover if it was to survive and the bill was likely to be about £500,000.

In the end, the financial mountain proved too steep and, yesterday, the YHA issued a statement confirming Aysgarth would shut and the buildings offered on the open market.

In an attempt to soften the blow, the YHA has indicated it is prepared to play a part in any negotiations which could lead to a replacement.

However, the offer failed to impress Wensleydale councillor John Blackie, who has been at the forefront of the campaign to save Aysgarth from the axe.

"This is going to be a real body blow for businesses in and around Aysgarth,'' he said. "I have to say I am extremely disappointed and concerned as 7,000 bed nights are not going to be easy to replace."

However, the YHA's regional manager, Simon Ainley, blamed the closure on a lack of support from potential funding partners.