Keighley Festival will hold flagship events at Cliffe Castle and East Riddlesden Hall for the first time in more than a decade.

The entertainment extravaganza’s annual schools art exhibition – this year the Kabinet of Keighley Kuriosities – will be hosted by Cliffe Castle Museum.

Meanwhile, the National Trust hall will be the setting for a day of spooky activities for hundreds of local schoolchildren.

Another major new festival event will be a medieval day organised by the Cliffe Castle Park Conservation Group.

Keighley Festival spokesman, Malcolm Hanson, said he was “over the moon” the two visitor attractions were getting involved with the July 5-13 jamboree.

He added the plan was to make the flagship event even bigger by inviting other local organisations to provide extra entertainment and activities.

He said: “It’s a big step forward for us.

“Hopefully, Cliffe Castle and East Riddlesden Hall will be in it every year from now on.

“Despite the fact we’ve found it harder than ever to get funding this year, we’re up and running and happy!”

Keighley Festival involves more than 50 events organised mostly by local community groups and venues.

Planned attractions include a film festival, tea dance, knitting, curry night, Asian dancing and bandstand concerts.

The Cricketers Arms and the Exchange Arts Centre will host live music, and the Boltmakers Arms will stage nightly events for the first time.

Stage entertainment includes the annual One Amazing Night by local schools plus children’s play Holes from KYDZ Keighley Youth Theatre.

There will be community events and galas in areas including Denholme, Oakworth, Parkwood, Bracken Bank and Braithwaite.

Organisations planning events include the Vintage Carriages Trust, Jam Radio, Haworth NOTHY Club, Keighley Model Engineers and the Sangat Centre.