The chairman of a community group has told of the town’s desperate need for a new theatre venue just as its second play gets under way.

Tickets for the four nights of Right Up Our Street, showing until Saturday, sold out in less than nine days with some relatives of the 60 cast members unable to bag seats for the nostalgic show, which reveals stories from town’s past.

John Peet, chairman of Silsden Community Productions (SCP), said: “This incredible response points all too clearly to the need for a proper arts venue in Silsden.

“Our production is bringing together all ages and many different kinds of talents, all from within the town. The community must look to build on this in the future.”

The group used to use Silsden Methodist Church hall to stage its productions but this was demolished last year to make way for a new building currently under construction.

This week Right Up Our Street is being performed at the new £1 million Silsden Sports Club, on Keighley Road, but the venue only holds 100 seats and SCP has had to hire and build a temporary stage to make the play work.

Former Keighley News journalist and playwright Cathy Liddle has penned the script, which features real episodes and intriguing characters from the life of Silsden during the years of the industrial revolution and up to the First World War. They include following the tragic tale of the town’s heroic five Faulkner brothers, who all signed up for battle in the Great War.

There will be a re-enactment of the police station rioters of 1911, all through the eyes of a present day child and her grandma.

Businesses, Silsden Town Council and the Ward Investment Fund have provided funding for the show.