LAST MINUTE hitches in some of the new attractions at Cliffe Castle Park has caused a delay to its grand opening ceremony.

Many of the attractions planned for the all-singing all-dancing celebration day on July 30 have been postponed until construction work is complete.

But musical entertainment will still go ahead on the bandstand as planned on July 30 as part of a garden party.

Cliffe Castle Park Conservation Group is organising the smaller replacement event, promising a day of music, phone and frolics for all between noon and 6pm.

The refurbishment of the Keighley park has been going on since last year and Bradford Council had scheduled for the work to be completed by the end of this month.

The council this week said much of the work has already been completed but certain features such as the new aviary, the café and the pond will not be ready by the July 30 deadline.

A spokesman said: “A new liner for the pond failed and additional work on the aviary needed doing due to unforeseen ground conditions.

“For this reason, the official opening event featuring food, music, history and magic, revolving around a vintage theme, has had to be postponed.

“The music festival planned for July 30 will still go ahead using the new bandstand and visitors will be able to enjoy the majority of the new facilities which have already been completed.”

The replacement event will feature a homecoming performance from the award-winning folk music and dance band Demon Barbers among other acts.

Some areas of the Keighley park will need more time for the landscaping works to become fully established, and the improved design for the animal and aviary house has extended the current programme for completion.

The £4.5 million project has been funded with a mix of council cash and a £3.5 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Parks for the People programme.

Cllr Sarah Ferriby, the council’s Executive Member for Environment, Sport and Culture, said it was not an easy decision to be spawned the television event.

She said: “A lot of work has already gone into the planning stage, but unforeseen delays have meant we were left with little choice.

“In many ways holding the music event on July 30 means that people can have two bites of the cherry. They can enjoy the music, the museum and the completed park work, and then return at a later date to enjoy the celebrations of the park fully refurbished.

“We are sorry if people are disappointed by the decision but it’s not unheard of for these types of massive project to overrun.”