ARMED Forces Day organisers delivered on their promise of “bigger and better” for this year’s event.

Keighley Armed Forces Association said the event was the most successful yet and again increased in popularity with the public.

Hundreds of people went to the Keighley Showground to see a host of attractions ranging from cadet marching and stunt bikes to a Spitfire flypast.

Association spokesman Tracey King said: “It was a fantabulous day, we were absolutely delighted with the turnout. It’s amazing – we get families with children, couples, people on their own. People saluted the Spitfire and the pilot saluted us back, waggling the wings.

“It’s brilliant to see communities coming together during events like this. Even though it was Father’s Day we had a field full of people all day long. We hope everyone was happy with the day, we certainly were.”

Armed Forces Day has grown year by year in Keighley, the event outgrowing Cliffe Castle Park then Victoria Park until settling on Marley.

Guests included the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Lord Mayor of Bradford Cllr Zafar Ali, and Keighley MP John Grogan. Chris Chitell, who plays Eric Pollard in Emmerdale, toured stalls and attractions.

One of the star attractions was a Spitfire fighter from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which circled the field three times. Air cadets not only gave a drill demonstration, but provided much-needed help to organisers with a host of tasks throughout the day.

Also taking part were the Men of Worth Project, Help For Heroes, Haworth Home Guard, ex-servicepeople’s charity SSAFA, and the Voluntary Fire Service from Haworth.

Tracey said: “Everyone who came to perform got good reviews, and the stunt team were very popular. The Deputy Lord Lieutenant said it was a fantastic day. The event gets bigger every year. We had more stalls than last year, and more for children to do.

All the raffle prizes were donated by Keighley and Skipton businesses,

Tracey added: “We have guaranteed funding for next year from Keighley Town Council and we already planning the 2019 event.

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