KEIGHLEY has blossomed in this year's Yorkshire in Bloom awards.

The town and some of its attractions raked in a string of coveted accolades.

Keighley picked up a silver award in the large town category.

Judges described it as "a town with obvious pride in its open spaces and parks".

They praised Keighley in Bloom members for all they'd done over the years to "enhance" the town, and the financial support of the town council.

Cliffe Castle and Town Hall Square were both awarded platinum honours in the parks and gardens category.

Town mayor, Councillor John Kirby, says: "We're delighted that Town Hall Square has been recognised, and that Keighley in Bloom earned a gold award!

"We extend our gratitude to our contractor, Steve Thorpe & Son Gardening, for consistently delivering impressive planting displays. The square is truly a picturesque destination for both residents and visitors.

"Additionally this year, the town council has expanded its efforts to enhance the town's aesthetics by increasing planters and introducing new barrier and hanging baskets."

Keighley's Airedale Shopping Centre retained gold in the large business category, and it was joint winner of the Yorkshire Rose Discretionary Award for Commercial Entry Supporting the Community.

Centre manager, Steve Seymour, says: "I was honoured to attend the Yorkshire in Bloom ceremony and collect the centre’s gold award.

"This reflects the team's efforts and commitment to making a difference, and maintaining the hanging baskets and floral displays around the centre and in the car park – along with our vegetable garden in the service area, which this year has donated the produce to our food bank shop on Brunswick Arcade – and our achievements in reducing operational costs with new environmental initiatives and energy savings.

"When they announced we were also joint winner of the Yorkshire Rose Discretionary Award I was blown away! This is something we're exceptionally proud of, as the centre welcomes in all Keighley community, faith and charitable groups. I believe it's part of our role in the community to help and support them in any way we can, and to be recognised for this means a lot to the team."

Other awards included silver gilt in the tourist attraction category for the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, and for Wilsden in the small town section, which it also won. Wilsden Primary School received a silver award in the Harrogate Flower Show Young People category.