Animal magnetism is set to help draw the crowds to tomorrow's 127th Keighley Gala.

These cute creatures will form part of a float from the 43-stall Keighley Market Hall in the procession.

Gala organisers are appealing to the public to turn out in force to support this year's extravaganza, which will include a packed programme of activities at Victoria Park and the traditional fireworks finale.

All the traditional ingredients, which have made the charity gala such a popular success over the years, will once again be present.

The programme will start with the crowning of the Gala Queen, in Town Hall Square at 1pm. This year's Queen is Jade Marshall, of Guard House Avenue, Keighley. She is a pupil at Parkside Secondary School, in Cullingworth.

The regal retinue will also include junior queen Zoe Ashworth, princess Zoe Cubitt, with her younger sister Katie as rosebud, and pageboy Ethan Allan.

The gala procession will start as normal from Malsis Road at 2pm, and will make its way through the town to Victoria Park. Traffic diversions will be in place during the parade.

A wide range of entertainment is being planned for the park, where there will be Marshall's funfair and a host of charity stalls and games.

Attractions will include a display, from 4.30pm, by motorcycle racer Ian Hutchinson.

This year's gala will also feature -- for the first time -- a balloon release, which aims to raise £1,000.

Entry to the park will be free and it is hoped that proceeds from the balloon event, which is being sponsored by the Keighley News, will help offset the funds no longer raised through admission charges. The day's activities will culminate as usual with a fireworks finale at dusk.

Chairman Brian Hudson said: "Once again we are appealing to the people of Keighley to come along and support the event. To ensure its survival in the future we need people who are willing to get involved, particularly younger people.

"I would ask anyone wanting to help tomorrow with tasks such as marshalling, or interested in getting involved in assisting with the organisation of the event next year, to get in touch."

Mr Hudson can be contacted on 01535 604379 or 07774 946394.

l Keighley bus station will be closed from 2.01-3.30pm, as the gala procession makes its way through the town.

Services operated by Keighley & District and Burnley & Pendle Travel, First Calderdale and Tyrer Tours will terminate at temporary stops in Alice Street, Worth Way and Russell Street.

l Keighley Festival Radio will be covering the gala parade live.

During June the community radio, broadcast from the Sangat Centre, will carry talks, music, news and festival information across the town on its new frequency of 87.7 FM.

Co-ordinator Tufail Khan said the Sangat Centre would welcome people to show them how a radio station is run. More details about the station are available from Mr Khan on 07870 644810.