ATHLETES from Keighley have been taking part in qualifying competitions for the Special Olympics National Games.

The young people and adults have travelled across the North of England for regional tournaments in advance of the August games in Sheffield.

They included Nathan O’Mara, Owen Sangster and Aidan Knights, all from Keighley, and Ilkley’s Paul Heskith, who competed in track events last month at the same stadium in Sheffield.

The quartet are among 65 athletes – including 20 from the Keighley area – from Team Bradford who will be part of the Yorkshire Humberside Special Olympics team.

There will be accompanied by voluntary coaches including four from Keighley.

Around 2,500 athletes from cross UK will take part in sports such as football, basketball, aquatics, cycling, athletics, boccia, 10-pin bowling, golf, equestrian, powerlifting and bowls.

Bradford Disability Sport and Leisure, which runs weekly sports sessions in Keighley, are overseeing the local competitors, who have learning disabilities.

Spokesman Dean Carroll said: “The cost of the games is £375 per person which means BDSL will need to raise a minimum of £25,000 in order to take our team.

“Athletes are all ready training week-in week-out across the Bradford District within our own clubs or those facilities run by our partners.”

Mr Carroll said the Special Olympics increased training opportunities for disabled people resulting in improved health and active lifestyles.

He said: “They become local heroes across Bradford and create a sense of pride and achievement for disabled people and the wider community.”

Anyone who is able to support the fundraising for the Keighley athletes should visit bdsl.net.