Keighley town centre looks down in the dumps, says local TV and radio presenter Peter Levy.

Oh no, it's not, says his on-air and screen verbal sparring partner - local lad and weatherman Paul Hudson. "It's brilliant."

But the exchange of views on Peter's BBC Radio Leeds programme has infuriated the team behind Keighley's award-winning town centre management team.

The friendly rivalry boiled over when Peter told Paul on air that in recent years Keighley centre had gone downhill and was a dump.

Earlier this week Keighley News editor Malcolm Hoddy went on the programme to give his views. Mr Levy told the editor: "I used to go shopping regularly in Keighley and enjoy the town. It has really gone downhill and looks down in the dumps.

"I'm not talking about the surrounding areas, just the town centre."

He says he last visited Keighley town centre about ten days ago.

Mr Hoddy responded, saying: "Keighley has had its problems and still has. But the developments and improvements made in recent months have been tremendous. It is 200 per cent better.

"Litter is being dealt with, graffiti has been removed and there's a host of household names shops in the centre."

Mr Levy hit back: "As editor of the local paper you would say that. You are part of the Keighley mafia."

This week Cllr Barry Thorne, chairman of the Town Centre management group, threw out a challenge to Peter to visit the town centre.

"He doesn't know what he is talking about," Cllr thorne says. "I challenge him to come and see for himself.

"Keighley has many of the same problems as any other town or city. But we are dealing with them in a very positive and dynamic way. We won the top award in the country for the work of the town centre management group."

Mike Millbank, manager of the Airedale Centre, says: "Comments like his, even if said in jest, are not very helpful. I totally disagree with him.

"The town centre has been transformed beyond all recognition. You wouldn't have so many major stores here if what he suggests was true.

"Yes, we still have the same problems as other places, such as beggars and drunks, but it is better than many places I have seen."

Mr Millbank reveals that the results of their latest shoppers' survey conducted in areas such as Halifax, Bingley, Shipley and Allerton. "The results clearly show the numbers of people from outside Keighley who come here to shop often more than once a week," he says.

"Local research in what we call greater Keighley shows people make multiple visits each week to the shops.

"At a weekend the figures reveal an increase in the number coming to Keighley from the other valley, Addingham and Ilkley."

Weatherman Paul says: "At first I thought he was doing it to wind me up. But he's serious. He denies it, but he more or less said Keighley was the pits of the earth."

We want your views. If you think Peter Levy is right then call the 'Fly away Paul' number. If you think he is wrong call the 'Fly away Peter' number and register your vote.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.