The public is being urged to turn out in force tomorrow to support Keighley Gala.

Organisers of the annual extravaganza - which last year celebrated its 125th anniversary - have warned that without the backing of townspeople the event could fold.

Dwindling membership has forced the committee to concentrate its efforts on the procession and scale down entertainment at the Victoria Park venue.

Chairman Brian Hudson said the event - which over the years has raised many thousands of pounds for charity - had reached a critical stage in its history.

"There are only eight of us left on the committee and we are not getting any younger," he said. "Someone will have to come forward with new ideas.

"If the people of Keighley want their gala, they have to be prepared to give support.

"Because of our numbers we have had to concentrate our efforts this year.

"We are not charging an entry fee to the park, but there will be collection buckets there and tins along the procession route - plus a payment from the funfair - so we hope to still have money to give away to local charities. But we need people to donate."

The gala procession will be starting as normal from Malsis Road, at 2pm, but the road will be closed to non-gala traffic from around 11am.

Diversions will be in place during the procession. And due to the current closure of Oakworth Road for sewer and water-mains replacement work, extra signs will be provided to help motorists.

The procession will follow the route shown in the map.

The day's schedule will not include the crowning of the Gala Queen, which instead took place in June to coincide with the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations.

But the Gala Queen - Victoria McGuinness - and her retinue will be travelling in the procession, and will then visit Airedale Hospital to chat to patients.

The cover for this year's gala programme has been designed by 19-year-old Costa Giannakapoulos.

He won a competition among first-year graphic design students at Keighley College to come up with a cover, and received £40 in vouchers from sponsor Worth Communications.

The gala committee congratulates Costa, and thanks college staff for their support.

Any organisations with inquiries about tomorrow's procession should contact Jason Patefield on 01535 676184. Fancy dress entrants will be accepted on the day.

Anyone wishing to get involved in helping with this or future galas should contact Mr Hudson on 01535 604379 or 07774 946394.

The funfair opens tonight and will run until Monday evening.