HUNDREDS of people turned out to watch the Tour de Yorkshire cyclists speed through the town earlier this afternoon.

The lead riders, preceded by a phalanx of police motorcyclists, entered Riddlesden and Stockbridge along Bradford Road shortly after 2pm and passed the roundabout near Victoria Park at 2.10pm.

The main group of cyclists and support vehicles followed about five minutes later and met with an enthusiastic reception from spectators gathered by the roundabout and further into Keighley along Bradford Road.

From 11am today, as part of the celebrations to welcome the race into Keighley, families were able to enjoy a variety of entertainment laid on by Bradford Council in Victoria Park.

The council's sports development and community play development departments arranged a pair of bouncy castles, three swing ball games, a mechanical rodeo ride and a face painting stand.

There was also banner painting, children's games including giant snakes and ladders and a very popular bungee trampolining structure for youngsters.

A team from the Keighley branch of Halfords arranged a distance cycling contest on a static bike.

A spokesman for Bradford Council said the park had been quiet during the late morning, but added that the event had begun to pick up during the afternoon.

Among the families enjoying the day out in the park was 37-year-old Ibrahim Rashid, his wife Mehreen and their two daughters aged seven and five.

Mr Rashid, from Lawkholme, said: "We saw the Tour de France when it came through, which was great, but we missed the last two Tour de Yorkshires, so we wanted to make the most of it today.

"I haven't cycled at all for nearly 12 years, but I should get back into it, if only for health reasons. I probably don't get enough exercise.

"I think it's a shame more people don't cycle round here, but you can understand why some people might be put off from doing it.

"There's so much traffic these days and some drivers can be a bit aggressive, so if you're going to cycle you have to be confident."

Another spectator at the Victoria Park roundabout was 43-year-old Riddlesden resident Geoffrey Allen.

He said: "I used to cycle competitively but it's just a leisure thing for me now.

"I was away on holiday when the Tour de France came to Keighley, so I was disappointed to miss seeing that in my home town.

"I was expecting a few more spectators here today, but I know of some people who were saying they were going to watch the race from Haworth instead."