Royal celebrations are planned for Keighley on a scale unseen for half a century.

A huge extravaganza at Cougar Park will be among the highlights of several days of festivities to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Everyone in the town - schools, charitable organisations, clubs, businesses, churches, local agencies and individuals - is being urged to play a part.

Street parties and processions are also to be staged in several villages and neighbourhoods.

Events in Keighley will kick off with a day of fun on Saturday, June 1, organised by the town's gala committee. The packed programme of activities in Town Hall Square will include the crowning of this year's Gala Queen, Victoria McGuinness.

Other attractions will include a bouncy castle, face painting and a competition - for children under ten - to make a crown. Actors from Keighley Amateurs will present a montage covering the kings and queens of England.

Gala secretary Joyce Ashworth said the committee was keen to hear from any organisations interested in becoming involved in the day's programme.

And the search is on for a band or other group of young musicians to perform.

Mrs Ashworth said: "It promises to be a super day for the whole family, and we want to give as many local groups as possible the opportunity to participate.

"Also we are in need of some young musicians, perhaps a school or scout band."

Musicians should contact Jason Patefield on 01535 676184, while general organisations should phone Mrs Ashworth on 01756 749422.

Keighley Cougars this week unveiled plans for its massive celebration at the club's ground, on Monday, June 3.

Organisers hope that every sector of the community - from schools and charities, to sports clubs and businesses - will play a part. A specially formed committee of volunteers has already drawn up a huge range of attractions, but more ideas and offers of support are sought.

Charitable groups will have stalls around the Cougar Park pitch, raising funds for their own causes, and businesses will have the chance to promote their wares. The day's proposed programme includes numerous games and competitions, face painting, sports activities and demonstrations, live music, dance troupes, birds of prey, displays by police dog handlers and the mounted section, a bouncy castle, barbecue, and a balloon race.

Julie Spencer, commercial manager with Keighley Cougars, told us: "It is a very exciting venture and it promises to be a fantastic event."

Visitors will have the chance to be photographed with club mascot Freddie Cougar, or kissing a Cougars star.

Let the celebrations begin - Jubilee special report page 5