A fun-filled celebration of Keighley and its people has been hailed as a huge success.

Countless activities at locations across the town on Saturday launched the five-day festival, organised by Keighley Town Council.

Community groups, businesses, churches, mosques and tourist attractions were among those participating in the extravaganza, which culminated on Wednesday with the inaugural Keighley Day to mark the town council's first birthday.

Sunshine added to the festive feel on the action-packed opening day.

Town councillor Joyce Newton - who spearheaded the organisation of the event - told us: "Judging from what I saw myself on Saturday, and the feedback I have received, it was a great success. Everything seemed to go well, and people were enjoying themselves."

Hundreds of people converged on Lund Park for a busy programme. The local community group organised a children's fancy dress competition, a display of information and photos chronicling the history of the park, a nature trail, fun run, a penalty shoot-out and Morris dancers. There were also a children's fair and a balloon race staged by the town council.

Community group member Paul Anderson said: "There was a really good spirit - it was brilliant. We had an excellent turnout, including a lot of children - we had 50 youngsters in the fun run alone, and all the rides were extremely busy. The historical display was also very popular and created considerable interest."

Areas around the town centre were a hive of activity.

In Low Street there was Morris dancing, Keighley Scout Band, hand painting, a display by Keighley Comets majorettes, a Keighley & District Travel show bus and a double-decker in the old Keighley-West Yorkshire livery.

Town Hall Square played host to performances from Keighley Amateurs and HYT, and a Bavarian oompah band. There was also a festival of learning to launch a Cougar Park art project, and later in the day a procession of light.

Other attractions included a display at Keighley Shared Church of the town's original register of weddings, baptisms and funerals - dating from 1562 - and a letter from John Wesley.

St Anne's RC Church and the Shah Jala Mosque - a former Wesleyan chapel in Temple Row - opened their doors to the public.

And in the Shared Church hall, there was an arts and crafts competition by the town's Guide movement.

Town criers were a familiar sight throughout the day as they visited locations around the area.

Keighley crier Michael Walton was joined by colleagues Chris Richards (Ilkley), Kevin Griffiths (Barnoldswick), Ian 'Bomber' Wilson (deputy crier, Otley) and Halifax crier Les Cutts with his wife - and formal escort - Julie.

Mr Walton did the opening cry of welcome outside the town hall, and then introduced each of his colleagues, who performed their home cries.

Their itinerary took them to all the main activity venues, and included a tour of Cliffe Castle and lunch at the Toby Carvery.

Mr Walton said a lot of work had clearly gone into organising the many activities.

He said: "A heck of a lot of work had been put in by the town council and it was so supportive of me and the other town criers throughout Saturday - the mayor and deputy mayor could not have been more helpful.

"I was disappointed for the town councillors that there was not more support from the people of Keighley. Those who did turn out seemed to have a great time."

On Sunday, East Riddlesden Hall opened its doors for the day - a fortnight ahead of the new season - to join in the celebrations. Town Mayor Councillor Martin Leathley was given a tour of the 17th-century National Trust property.

He then went on to the Keighley Bus Museum Trust's Old Dalton Lane depot, where there was a rare chance for people to see the Keighley Trackless - believed to be the oldest double-deck electric bus in the world.

The unique wooden-bodied and solid-tyred vehicle was built in 1924 for Keighley Corporation Tramways, and was considered to be at the cutting edge of technology.

It was withdrawn in 1932 on the formation of a new motor bus company, Keighley-West Yorkshire.

Around 200 people visited the depot during the day.

Other historic forms of transport taking centre stage on Sunday included a heritage bus, which operated a service linking local tourist attractions, and classic locomotives on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway where twice the usual number of trains were in operation.

Events continued this week with international food and community group displays at the Garden Cafe, a tea dance at the leisure centre, a spring fair at Keighley Disabled People's Centre and a meeting of young people and councillors to discuss issues and ideas.

Deputy town mayor Councillor Nick Lajszczuk this week praised colleagues who led the organisation of the celebrations, which he hailed as a huge success.

And he thanked everyone who supported the activities.

He said: "The event brought a lot of community groups together, and there was a really good spirit. The torchlight procession on Saturday was magnificent, with a good turn out from the Italian and Muslim communities, and it was the perfect end to an excellent day.

"The celebrations have helped put Keighley on the map, and I certainly hope they will become an annual event."