The voice of Keighley people is to be heard.

A petition for a town council has been backed by the Government -- and elections should take place in May next year.

Local Government Minister Stephen Byers, in announcing the approval, revealed he had rejected the bid for a new parish council for Oakworth.

Now a series of meetings and public consultations is being planned to decide just how the new town council will work and how many councillors will be elected.

This week Keighley Voice, a steering group set up to spearhead the campaign, said it hoped it would be a true people's council -- with every neighbourhood in the area having a representative.

It is understood that as many as 30 councillors could be chosen.

The announcement was a victory for the campaign, which began in earnest 15 months ago following an exchange of letters in the Keighley News.

A public meeting was called, and a steering group set up, independently chaired by Malcolm Hoddy, editor of the KN.

The group began the process of collecting thousands of names on a petition.

This led to a postal ballot in the summer which showed well over 90 per cent of the voters were in favour.

Cllr Richard Wightman, deputy leader of Bradford Council, said: "I am glad the Government has endorsed the wish of the local people in Keighley to have a town council."

The letters sent to the KN were from Brian Hudson, a long time reform campaigner, and Cllr Martin Leathley.

Bradford Council is now waiting for an official order from the Government. When that arrives the council will make a separate order to establish the electoral arrangements.

The KN understands the public will be consulted before the final arrangements are made.

Said Cllr Leathley: "There's a lot of work to be done. We have identified around 20 different community areas within the boundary.

"We would like to see those are fully represented."

Campaign background, comments see page 4