SEASONAL fun for all the family was laid on in Keighley town centre over the weekend.

The town celebrated this year's Oktoberfest with a variety of entertainments in Church Green on Saturday (Oct 14) and a nearby street market.

All the Church Green activities were arranged by Keighley Town Council.

Councillor Luke Maunsell, chairman of the council's Events & Leisure Committee, said: “I want to thank everyone who helped at this year's Oktoberfest.

"I was delighted to see so many people get involved in the festivities, engaging in the activities and enjoying the day."

The event went ahead despite rain the previous day causing some muddy conditions on the grassed area of Church Green.

Town council deputy clerk, Joe Ashton, said: "It was a bit tricky because about half of the ground we'd intended to use was waterlogged.

"We couldn't arrange things on the grass quite as we'd liked, but we were able to work around the edges of the green and turned round some of the attractions around so people could gain access to them from off the grass.

"We had the children's rides next to the Market Cross, so they weren't affected.

"The weather on the day itself was fine. It actually stopped raining bang on 10am when we were due to start, and though it looked threatening after that it stayed dry."

Entertainment included afternoon performances by five members of the Yorkshire Oompah Band, who were put in touch with the council for the event by Haworth resident Jens Hislop.

Mr Ashton said: "They were great. They did three sets on the hour every hour and also took a few musical requests."

He said youngsters could enjoy a pair of small fairground-style rides, 200 toffee apples – which were given to the first 200 children who turned up – as well as face painting and balloon modelling.

For the first time this year the event also featured lantern making sessions for the children, led by a pair of artists from the Baildon-based arts and crafts group Sponge Tree.

Mr Ashton explained: "We had enough material for them to make 200 lanterns, and even though they didn't make that many they still did a lot.

"These lanterns were just made out of paper and straw with LED tea lights in each one. The children could take their finished lanterns home and they really enjoyed it."

As in previous years the celebrations included a street market in nearby Low Street, with about 15 food and gift stalls arranged by Bradford Council trading on both last Friday (Oct 13) and on Saturday.