A KEIGHLEY group has achieved charity status.

Cliffe Castle Support Group has been awarded the status following a stringent accreditation process.

The organisation says the move will help ensure its financial security, provide oversight and "add to its credibility" when contributing to funding bids for the museum or park.

But the group has vowed that its volunteers won't be "sitting back" following the achievement.

A spokesperson says: "Cliffe Castle Museum and park is a wonderful resource, which the group will continue to use in the interests of the community by creating enjoyable opportunities that are much more than entertainment – seeing or experiencing something new, or sharing in understanding or expert knowledge, is the aim.

"This spring was bird-focused. An expert helped those taking part in a walk to spot and identify birds in the woodland and grounds – 26 different species were spotted in all, to everybody's delight.

"And on International Dawn Chorus Day, we partnered with A Sense of Place to record and broadcast Cliffe Castle’s very own dawn chorus – a well attended and terrific experience, even though it was held at 4.30am!"

For further information about Cliffe Castle Support Group and its activities, go to facebook.com/Cliffecastle.supportgroup