SPORT is being given a massive boost across the district with the Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay due to come through Keighley on Friday, July 5.

The town is also going to be one of the few across the country where the futuristic baton will spend some time instead of whizzing straight through on its bumper journey around the realm.

"It is great news for the district and we are planning to make it a sporting day to remember, particularly for young people," said John Dennis (pictured) of SportKeighley.

The organisation has been working hard behind the scenes to get organisers of the relay to alter their plans and include the town on their schedule, and there will be an added bonus from the Government.

Sport England and other organisations have been so impressed with the community-driven SportKeighley scheme that Sports Minister Richard Caborn will also be coming to Keighley to see how the innovative scheme works.

"We have managed to persuade the relay organisers to adjust their route, and the timings, slightly in order that the baton can spend some time in Keighley," said Dennis.

"Our idea is to get together as many schools, community groups, clubs and businesses as possible for a morning of sport and leisure at Victoria Park and the Leisure Centre.

"Things will start at about 9am and we hope to have our own 'Jublilee Jog' with as many people as possible doing a lap of the park.

"If everything goes to plan local people will also get to take part in our own 'mini-relay' started by the Sports Minister."

Local MP Ann Cryer has also been working hard to get Keighley involved in the relay and was determined that Government Ministers should see the hard work taking place across the district and sporting organisations plan to take advantage of the opportunity to get their message across.

Mr Dennis added: "The idea is to attract local and national media and get the help of various Jubliee baton relay sponsors to really put Keighley on the map in a positive way.

"We want Richard Caborn to go away pleasantly surprised and inspired, and aware of the positive way sport and activity is being tackled in Keighley."

He added that none of the plans had been finalised and he wanted people to put forward ideas for the action-packed morning.

"The baton and the Minister will leave at about 11am but we do not want that to be the end of activities in the park. We would like to see events continuing followed by a mass picnic until about 1.30."