BISHOP of Bradford the Rev Canon Dr Toby Howarth has spent the week in the Keighley deanery.

A visit to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (K&WVR), on Sunday, signalled the start of his stay.

He was greeted at Haworth Station by K&WVR director David Petyt and West Yorkshire Deputy Lieutenant, David Pearson.

Bishop Toby – who was accompanied by rector of Haworth, the Rev Peter Mayo-Smith – then travelled to Keighley Station, before enjoying a footplate ride on locomotive 75078 and a tour of the loco sheds at Haworth.

During the week he has also visited Airedale Springs at Haworth and Airedale Hospital, taken part in a prayer walk and hosted an open meeting with parishioners.

Today he is due to visit Timothy Taylor's brewery.

Bishop Toby said: "The welcome and hospitality I have received in Keighley has been extraordinary.

"This is a deanery of contrast, opportunity and challenge. It's been a privilege to get to know people and learn some of the ways in which God is at work here."

Canon John Carter, for the diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales, said: "Keighley is one of five deaneries which make up the new Bradford Episcopal Area.

"It is part of Bishop Toby's plans to spend five weeks living in different parts of the region.

"He is staying with local families and visiting hospitals, businesses and church projects in the area and having pastoral meetings with clergy and lay leaders."