ENTERTAINMENT and competitions were held in Knowle Park to celebrate Bangladesh Independence Day and Bengali New Year.

Keighley's Bangladeshi Community Association (BCA) held the events in Lund Park on April 12 and at its base in Kensington Street on April 15.

The occasion raised £500 to help Rohingya refugees who have been driven out of Burma and into Bangladesh.

The contests in the park included tug of war, speed walking and a children's treasure hunt.

There was also a Bangladesh themed art competition and a table tennis contest.

At the BCA's centre there was henna decorating, a bouncy castle, massage and food. Among nearly 200 people who attended were Keighley MP John Grogan, Bradford Lord Mayor Councillor Abid Hussain and Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Doreen Lee.

BCA community engagement co-ordinator, Eyarun Nessa thanked everyone who supported the free events.

She highlighted the contributions of Shagufta Qasir and Yasmin Ali from Aamnah's hair and makeup, who provided the henna, Rachael Small of Healing Energy Massage, Cake Box, and prize donor Azad Uddin.

She added the competitions were designed to promote physical fitness, teamwork and in the case of the art contest, to educate youngsters about Bangladeshi culture.

"Everyone had a fantastic time, and this has encouraged them to participate in future events," she said.

Competition Results. Speed Walking over 50s: winner – Ajot Mala Begum, runner up – Asma Sultana, 3rd place – Dilara Begum. Tug of War: Winning team captained by Ansar Ali. Table tennis: (boys) gold – Alamin Rahman, silver – Jalal Ahmed, bronze – Musa Ali, (girls) gold – Amina Aslam, silver – Alanah Ali. Art competition: (Age 6 to 8 category) gold – Raeesa Ruf, runner up – Yasin Ullah. (Age 9 to 12 category) gold – Mohammed Khabab, runner up – Saira Begum. (Age 13 to 16 category) gold – Imaad Miah, runner up – Parveen Hussain.