BINGLEY is preparing to celebrate its new status as an official Walkers are Welcome town with a grand announcement at the town's arts centre.

Organisers will be hosting an event with trade stalls and information stands on Saturday from 10am with the official start of the town's new status being marked at 11am by local historian Ian Dewhirst and the cutting of a Walkers are Welcome Cake specially created by students at Leeds City College.

Then the first of a selection of celebration walks will stride out from the centre at 11.30am.

Christine McCabe, chairman of Bingley Walkers are Welcome, said: “Everyone is invited to come along and join in.

"There will be lots of interesting stalls and walks suitable for all ages and abilities.

"The aim is to encourage people to walk and enjoy all that Bingley and the surrounding area has to offer.

"It’s a brilliant place to walk, particularly as it’s so accessible by public transport.”

Keen to promote the public transport links, The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has sponsored Bingley Walkers are Welcome, as have a number of businesses including Damart, Arthur Baxter Funeral Director, Interior Furnishings of Bingley and R Dawson Architect.

Bingley Civic Trust also supported the initiative by covering the cost of the town’s application to join the national Walkers are Welcome network.

The Walkers are Welcome status means that Bingley now joins Ilkley, Baildon and Burley-in-Wharfedale as part of a national network of communities endorsed for their amenities, opportunities and hospitality for walkers and which can promote themselves under the Walkers are Welcome brand.

On Saturday, members of Baildon Walkers are Welcome will be trekking from Baildon to Bingley, arriving in time for the event.

As well as encouraging the health benefits of walking, Walkers are Welcome status can also help to boost the local economy by attracting visitors and increasing footfall.

The group is keen to link up with others who have already published information about walks around the town.

To achieve Walkers are Welcome status, Bingley had to show grassroots support for the scheme and this was demonstrated through a petition which was signed by more than 1,300 people and many local business owners.

In addition, letters backing the bid were gathered from councillors and officers of Bradford Council, Metro and all the medical practices in Bingley.

Bingley Community Council Group also provided high quality photographs of surrounding beauty spots and landmarks to support the application.