SCHOOLS in Keighley proudly displayed the colours red, white and blue by taking part in the first ever One Britain One Nation Day on Friday. (June 23)

Worth Valley and St Andrew's Primaries were among the schools in the district to get involved in the event, which was announced by an award-winning former West Yorkshire Police inspector, whose mission is to unite communities.

Kash Singh, founder of One Britain One Nation, (OBON) explained the day is designed to mark the values people in Britain share in common, and to put the "United" back into the UK.

Julie Batey, nursery teacher At Worth Valley Primary, said children and staff had enthusiastically participated by making banners and decorations.

She said they also had a picnic and attended dressed in the colours of the Union Flag.

"We were invited to get involved with this and by doing so we're building on the fact that we're already the first school in Yorkshire to get the Peace Mala Accreditation," she said.

Peace Mala is an organisation launched following the 9/11 terrorist attacks that promotes friendship between people of different cultures and faiths.

Ms Batey said: "It's all about the message that we should treat others how we'd like to be treated, so OBON fits in perfectly with that. It mirrors our own school's ethics."

St Andrew's Primary welcomed a visit from Keighley MP John Grogan and parent governor Amjid Ahmed.

A spokesman for the school said: "The children and staff dressed in red, white and blue, and also made red, white and blue paper chains and flags to decorate the school.

"They baked scones with jam and cream and enjoyed these along with a variety of Asian snacks kindly sent in by parents.

"Over the past week, pupils have been learning about British Values, the Parliamentary system and how to sing the National Anthem at the top of their voices!

"The school sang the National Anthem to our visitors, before balloons were released that had messages of friendship and kindness attached.

"This event was organised by our assistant heads, Michelle Khambhaita and Kara Vernon, who said they were extremely proud of the way the children sang the National Anthem for our guests.

"The children are our future adult citizens so it's important they know about British values and democracy."

Mr Singh said: “This day is an opportunity for all our children to showcase their love, pride and passion for our great nation.

"And it's a chance for our children to stand in solidarity with each other, to wave or fly the flag of our country for the kind, generous and tolerant people of our great nation.

“It's a day to celebrate with vigour and pride and to turn every school into red, white and blue as an insignia of unity."

Mr Singh, a former police inspector who has worked in Bradford and Leeds, says his time in inner city areas enabled him to see how society was lacking a vision and it became clear to him what was needed.

He said: "We all need to live in a society where everyone is pulling together to create peaceful coexistence based on all that we share in common."