AN OPEN day at a “secret garden” in Highfield attracted visitors including Keighley MP John Grogan.

Mr Grogan said it was just a joy to visit the Redcliffe Orchard which has been opened to the public by a newly-formed group of volunteers.

Local people were able to see fruit ripening on the trees and hear about plans for involving Keighley groups in maintaining the orchard and enjoying its fruits.

A steady trickle of people found their way to the “hidden gem” off Redcliffe Street during the afternoon.

Mr Grogan said: “Redcliffe Orchard is like a secret garden in the middle of Keighley. Like all orchards it's at its most magical in late summer and early autumn.”

Children were helped to pick a ripe Discovery apple with the aid of new apple pickers. They also took part in bug and butterfly spotting while parents enjoyed the green tranquillity from the comfort of the seats.

Children in year five at Eastwood Primary School will take part in various activities from artwork to picking, planting, cooking and dehydrating. They hope to make enough fruity snacks to last through to the early spring.

Group spokesman Kate Toch said: “Highfield Women's Group will meet at Redcliffe Orchard in the coming months to learn how to preserve some of the later-ripening apple varieties. We are all looking forward to Keighley's first-ever Apple Day.”

Visit devonshireparkkly@gmail.com for more information about the orchard.