KEIGHLEY Salvation Army has a new leader.

Major Imogen Stewart has taken over as minister at the High Street church.

She will also head up the charity's work to support vulnerable families across the town.

Keighley Salvation Army runs facilities including a food bank, charity shop, cafe and evening meal service from its church and community centre.

During her first week in the town, Imogen – who was previously based in Ireland – took part in a community trip to Hesketh Farm Park, near Bolton Abbey.

The outing was for some of the families supported by the Salvation Army.

Hesketh Farm is a working site with over 1,000 livestock including cattle, sheep and pigs. Children can feed and stroke the animals and take part in a host of other activities.

Imogen said the event was a welcome way to start her time in Keighley.

She added: "I’m delighted to be joining Keighley Salvation Army and grateful to everyone for the warm welcome I received at our community day out.

"The day was a resounding success – filled with sunshine, picnics, tractor rides and smiles! I was humbled to be part of this extraordinary day of inclusion embraced by the local community.

"The church has a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, who have done an amazing job keeping up a full programme of support for the local community in recent months, so I want to say a big 'thank you' to them. I could see how much it is appreciated during the recent trip to Hesketh Farm.

"The team has also built invaluable relationships with local businesses and agencies that help fund trips like this for families which are struggling day-to-day with rising costs, so would never be able to afford trips away.

"Our thanks go to Bowcocks Family Fund, which provided £500; Morrisons supermarket, which supplied the food for the lunches, and Keighley Community Transport."

Imogen will be hosting 10.30am services at the church every Sunday, which are open to people of all faiths.

She added: "I am already feeling at home in Yorkshire, as I love being outdoors and Keighley is surrounded by beautiful walks.

"I’m looking forward to getting involved in the great things that are going on with the community, as well as resuming the church services on a Sunday."

For further information about Keighley Salvation Army, visit salvationarmy.org.uk/keighley or follow it on Facebook at facebook.com/keighleysalvationarmy.