historian Ian Dewhirst has joined Keighley News readers in suggesting names for the town's new public space.

He believes the paved triangle between the new bus station and the main post office should be named Townfield.

The bus station area was known as Townfield until about a generation ago, and the name is believed to date back to medieval times.

A prominent Victorian building called Townfield House once stood near the present town hall, at the corner of Cooke Lane.

The words Townfield Gate, spelled out with metal letters, were found on the wall of the old bus station building when it was demolished last year. They had been hidden by a sign.

The Keighley News this week received more than a dozen ideas from readers for names for the public space.

Hugh Rowland, of Thornhill Avenue, Oakworth, suggested Townfield Square and Janet Fuller, of Coles Way, Riddlesden, put forward Towngate Avenue.

Mr Dewhirst believes that if the name is being chosen for its historical significance then none would be more ideal than Townfield. He explained: "The site is thought to be part of a medieval common-field system.

"As such comparatively ancient associations are rare in Keighley, I feel the new square offers a golden opportunity for perpetuating it."

Mr Dewhirst said that the Gate part of the original name should be dropped, because that was an old English word for way or road.

Transport enthusiast Graham Mitchell suggests Townfieldgate because it has been the official address of the bus station for at least 60 years.

He said the 100-acre Town Field was common grazing land bounded roughly by what is now Lawkholme Lane, Hard Ings, Bradford Road, East Parade, Low Street and Cooke Lane.

Kathleen Fairwood, of Prince Street, Haworth, believes the space should be named after Keighley's former Civic Society head Dr Fred Kidd, in honour of his dedication to the town.

Keighley woman Irene Holden wanted the space to honour the memory of Keighley MP Bob Cryer, the late husband of present MP Ann Cryer.

Several people have suggested Jubilee Square or a similar name to commemorate the year of the Queen's golden jubilee.

Other suggestions referred to Keighley Cougars, Keighley Festival and the old Hippodrome theatre, which stood nearby until the 1960s.

A J Claybourne, of Laurel Crescent, made both serious and what she termed "plain silly" suggestions, including Town Plaza, Golden Square, Piazza Consignia and Happy Rider Place. Mr B Hustwick, of Walton Street, Sutton, suggested reverting to an old name for the area, Communication Way.

Sandra Parnham, Keighley's town centre manager, said names of people or businesses were unlikely to be approved by Bradford Council.

Keighley News readers can continue to send their suggestions to our office at 80-86 North Street, Keighley BD21 3AG, to arrive by next Tuesday.

We will publish a shortlist of suitable names next Friday and invite readers to vote for their favourite.