HUNDREDS of people descended on Keighley's Marley Playing Fields over the weekend to enjoy the town's fourth Armed Forces Day celebrations.

They were treated to a wide variety of entertainment yesterday, laid on by Keighley Armed Forces Association. (KAFA)

KAFA chairman Luke Davison said: "It's gone really well and the turnout has been excellent, better than last year.

"Our team has put in so much effort, they've worked all hours this weekend."

KAFA member and Riddlesden resident Rosie Clarke said: "It's been a really successful day and the weather has helped us. It's the first year we've had caterers on site.

"We've been planning the day since July last year. Anyone who wants to help KAFA can contact us via our website or Facebook page. We could always do with more volunteers."

Yesterday's event benefited from excellent weather with the field basking in hot sunshine all morning and afternoon.

People enjoyed a mid-afternoon flypast by a Spitfire fighter, cavalry and Second World War Home Guard re-enactments and a mini funfair.

There were stands manned by members of 4th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, Airborne Comrades Association, SSAFA, Men of Worth, local cadet units, KAFA's main sponsor Pay Weekly Carpets and MPB4x4 Land Rover Specialists.

There was also plenty of food and refreshments on offer, a licensed bar, live music by DJ and singer Liam Jarvis, a raffle, archery and target shooting.

KAFA awards were presented to local military historians Andy Wade and Ian Walkden from the Men of Worth group, in recognition of their support for the association.

Former KAFA chairman Andy Spence said: "I'd like to say how proud I am of the whole team for putting together an amazing event. It's been fantastic.

"I'm looking forward to it getting bigger and bigger every year with Luke in charge."

Sian Makepeace and Mick Gallagher, of living history group Airborne Comrades Association, mounted a popular display of military vehicles, weapons, radios, rations and other equipment, and an impressive selection of model military aircraft.

Sian said: "We look to teach school kids about more recent military history, because they don't learn about this kind of thing at school.

"Most of them only know about it from video games, so by seeing and holding real weapons they get to realise that's it not quite like they thought.

"It teaches them respect for what our soldiers go through."

The Keighley Armed Forces Day this year also saw an anti-war protest mounted at the entrance to the showfield.

Four people held up a banner with the words: "War is not family-friendly entertainment."

Kathie Mack, who was among the group, said they were Quakers, but also represented different organisations including Veterans for Peace, Campaign Against Arms Trade and Trident Ploughshares.

"We're just here as a reminder that war is not fun and games," she said. "The Government has a deliberate policy of trying to normalise it in people's minds, but we're putting the alternative message across."

*See this Thursday's Keighley News for full a picture special from the day.