LITTLE stars performed in Keighley town centre at the weekend during sessions with theatre professionals.

The Airedale Shopping Centre was full of music and dancing on Saturday during the free Kids’ Theatre Fun Day.

There were workshops throughout the day, led by leading Yorkshire performing arts school Stage 84.

The event was organised by Keighley BID, the Business Improvement District, and included free face-painting and balloon models.

More than 100 families went along to Keighley BID’s first event of the year.

Paul Howard, the Keighley BID manager, said there was a full programme of sessions all day with break-dancing, modern dance and singing games to try.

He said: “We’re thrilled that so many people enjoyed our theatre fun day over the weekend. Stage 84 put on a great show and many families stayed in the centre for hours trying out the different workshops.”

The theatre day came after Keighley BID’s first year of activities for the general public, which included an indoor beach, the Christmas lights switch-on, and monthly family days.

BID bosses are planning a whole programme of events for 2017.

Visit discoverkeighley.co.uk or follow Discover Keighley on Facebook, to find the latest details of upcoming events.

Keighley BID was set up at the beginning of last year after a successful vote in autumn 2015 amongst town centre businesses.

The organisation was established to spearhead a range of improvement projects to bring more shoppers and visitors to Keighley.

BID will see £1.45 million investment in the town centre over five years, through an annual levy on top of local traders’ business rates.

Following early controversy, with one cafe owner being threatened with prison if she did not pay her share, Keighley BID ran a series of successful family fun events.

Keighley BID is managed by Paul Howard, who previously ran BID programmes for several other towns, with former Keighley News advertising manager Phil Walker as his deputy.

One of Mr Walker’s tasks is to engage with more businesses to ensure their needs are met by BID activities.

As well as more public events, this year’s programme will include cost-saving projects to help town centre businesses reduce their bottom-line costs.

BID is focusing on four themes: marketing and promotion, safety and security, backing business, and ease of access.

Stage 84, which ran Saturday’s theatre day, was set up in 1984 by Valerie Jackson MBE.

Now based in Idle, it now runs multiple classes in various aspects of drama, dance and singing.

Stage 84 also represents young people with its own casting agency, and many of its students have found successful roles in film, television, theatre, radio, advertising and in the music industry.

Several well known actors and actresses began their careers with Stage 84, while others have performed across Europe or in front of royalty.

the school also presents a major musical production every year, including UK premieres.