A WIDE range of Easter events have provided entertainment across the district over the Bank Holiday weekend.

At Northcliffe Woods, Shipley a giant Easter Bunny oversaw Spring fun, a grand picnic and organised egg and spoon races in the historic woodland setting on Saturday afternoon.

And in the setting of Shipley Glen, young visitors to the Victorian tramway were able to take part in a Hunt the Bunny competition by spotting rabbits cunningly concealed amongst the trees beside the track.

Food and drink fans flocked to sunny Bingley for a three-day Easter festival of gastronomic delights.

And its success is the springboard for a new monthly local produce market to be launched next month with the backing of Bradford Council.

Stalls selling global delights proved popular with the thousands of visitors who flitted from the Polish hot sausage griddles to traditional pie and peas while maybe pausing at a pop-up Prosecco wine bar.

Spicy "Mumbai city snacks" proved especially popular before the sun came out on Saturday lunchtime, said Sharon Rauth of sauce specialists Real Indian from Bradford.

"It's been a great event and we've nearly sold out of our fried snacks - the onion bhajis all went ages ago," she said.

At a neighbouring stand, farmer Robert Hartley, of Beltie Bred Beef, was doing brisk trade in his locally reared and butchered beef.

"All the meat comes from my Belted Galloways which I rear up on St Ives estate."

Teacher Ann White from Shipley had brought daughters Flo, 6 and Maisie, 4, and said they had been delighted to meet Bingley's new town mascot Bing the Bear.

Chamber of trade spokesman Howard Martin was busy handing out chocs and running a free Easter Egg treasure hunt though the town.

"We've only just introduced Bing the Bear and he's been a great hit with kids - although I'm told he's very hot to wear!" Mr Martin said.

"This is what Bingley should be like, with a proper sunlit market square bustling with people," Mr Martin said.

Bingley's regular local produce market will be launched on Saturday, May 16.

Shipley's indoor market was also drawing extra crowds on Saturday thanks to free face-painting, a street dance display and the live magic of a micro pig.

Manager Heidi McKenna organised the event which featured Shipley dance group Vogue

"It's been a great day and Babe the micro pig has been real star.

"Also the market is now filling up and we've just opened a traditional sweet stall, a juice bar and a well-stocked haberdashers," she said.