HUNDREDS of people packed The Grove in Ilkley on Saturday to watch TV celebrity Richard Whiteley unveil the town's brand new bandstand.

The Countdown presenter, who grew up in Baildon and now lives in Burley Woodhead, said it was a 'wonderful, enduring edifice' of which the town should be proud.

He told the crowd that The Grove was to him the nicest thoroughfare in England and the bandstand - built with money raised by Ilkley's two Rotary clubs - a perfect enhancement.

After he cut the ribbon to officially open the attraction, musicians from Ilkley Music Centre took to the platform to entertain the cheering masses.

Ilkley Parish Council chairman Michael Gibbons - who attended the event along with Ann Cryer MP and the Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Irene Ellison-Wood - said it had been a 'superb' day. "Everyone seemed in a very happy mood," he said.

"I would like to offer my congratulations to the organisers and all those involved in seeing the project through. It's a great asset to the town and will be enjoyed for many, many years to come."

Rotary spokesman Philip Chinque said the bandstand - which stands on land donated by the Abbeyfield Society - had been intended to put a smile on the face of Ilkley.

"I hope that what we in Rotary have set out to achieve will meet the approval of the residents and visitors to Ilkley.

"We hope this bandstand will survive long after we involved with its creation have gone."

Mr Whiteley told the Gazette after the ceremony he had been honoured to open the bandstand and to see his name on a plaque there.

"The great thing for me is that this bandstand will last for ever. It's a very nice thing to have - to be associated with such a wonderful enduring edifice. It just adds to the feel-good factor in Ilkley."