An obstacle course proved no obstacle to fun as Keighley's third annual Children's Festival kicked off last Friday.

The under-fives day offered face painting and entertainment, as well as a mini assault course in the Town Hall Square.

Older children can get into the act this weekend as the summer holiday activities begin in earnest around the town centre. Today is Mad Hat Day, in which youngsters can dress in any hat they want -- the brighter the better -- and pop into town to get a free goodie bag.

The Town Hall Square will be filled with life-size games of Jenga, Connect 4, Snakes and Ladders and Ker-Plunk, as well as performances by Silly Billy and Candyfloss.

Topper the unicycle juggler and face painting can be found in Low Street, wax art will be in the market, and face painters will be in Cavendish Court.

A circus skills workshop will be held in Keighley College's main hall and the Airedale Centre will host badge workshops, face painting and the Prospero Theatre Company.

Tomorrow will see drumming and art sessions for all in the Town Hall Square, courtesy of Small World, Abilitate and the Rhythm Bridge Foundation.

Balloonatic the Clown will be in Cavendish Court, caricature artist Ihor and leading Charlie Chaplin lookalike Calvero will be in Low Street, and the Prospero Theatre Company and Cliff Carlton's Punch & Judy Show will be in the Airedale Centre.

Full details of activities throughout August are available at the information centre in Keighley Town Hall, or on the web site, www.keighley.towntalk.co.uk.

Pictured, above, showing off their new paint jobs are Helen Jackson, six, and her sister Jenna, ten, of Fell Lane. The two girls joined in the fun at the opening day of the festival in the Town Hall Square.