KEIGHLEY Festival organisers have unveiled a new raft of attractions for this summer’s week-long event.

The latest line-up includes tea parties, a tour of Keighley’s secrets, church fun for children, live music and ghost-busting in primary schools.

Some of the latest attractions are being organised following an appeal for more people to get involved.

The volunteer organising committee last month called on individuals, groups, businesses and politicians to give active support.

Festival chairman Malcolm Hanson said more than 40 events had now been confirmed for the festival, which runs from July 6 to 11.

“We are beginning to get the message across,” he said

Headline events – announced last month – include a children’s day at East Riddlesden Hall, an improvised theatre performance, a week-long mums-and-tots mini-festival in the Airedale shopping centre, a 1940s Day, and the annual schools performance at Victoria Hall.

Spearheading the latest set of events is Keighley Shared Church, which is hosting an evening children’s event organised by XCiteKeighley, which runs regular worship-and-fun events for local children. XCiteKeighley will also take part in the mums-and-tots festival.

The 1940s-themed Forteas Cafe in North Street, will host daily Festival Cream Teas parties.

Keighley singer-songwriter Den Miller is organising a live music night featuring himself and several bands at Central Hall on July 8.

He will also perform in the Airedale Centre on July 6.

Mr Hanson, an experienced ghost tour guide, will host a free guided tour of central Keighley entitled Ten Things You Never Knew About Keighley.

Mr Hanson will accompany the festival’s mascot toys, Happycat and Dolly, to present their popular show in primary schools.

The festival’s ghostbusters, from the Pennine Paranormal Society, are also offering a tour of primary schools.

The children’s Film Festival on July 8, announced last month, may include a showing of Macbeth, a film created last year by our Lady of Victories Primary School pupils.

The existing festival events include a week of live music and quizzes at the Boltmakers Arms, tea dances at Keighley Civic Centre and the Airedale Centre, an expansion of the long-established Sangat Centre ‘curry night’, and the annual open day at the Jam On Top recording studios.

Anyone interested in organising events for the festival should e-mail malcolm.b.hanson@gmail.com or call him on 01756 798730.