TRIBUTE has been paid to communities across the Keighley district in the aftermath of the weekend's storms and heavy snow.

Volunteers and key workers have today been praised for their response to the situation.

Emergency centres were set-up at venues including community buildings and church halls as Storm Arwen wreaked havoc on Friday night and into the following morning.

Many parts of the area – across Keighley, the Worth Valley and South Craven – lost power.

Northern Powergrid says that at the height of the storm, supplies to around 240,000 customers throughout the region were affected.

By yesterday, power had been restored to many.

But some areas had still not been reconnected, including 19 properties in Denholme House Farm Drive, at Denholme.

They lost power early on Saturday.

"If it weren’t for Denholme Youth Cafe and the generosity of strangers I don’t know what we would have done," said one resident.

Among other villages affected over the weekend were Long Lee and Riddlesden, where Keighley East councillor Caroline Firth co-ordinated a response by volunteers – including providing hot food and drink, funded by Bradford Council, and door knocking in the snow to ensure people were safe.

Sunday's heavy snow caused travel disruption across the area, with many minor roads and higher-level routes difficult to negotiate.

Up to 15 vehicles were involved in multiple accidents at Keighley Road, near Harden's St Ives estate.

The Friends of St Ives issued a warning to motorists via its Facebook page.

Keighley MP Robbie Moore praises key workers and volunteers who helped with the community effort over the weekend.

He spent his 37th birthday, on Sunday, serving-up hot tea and coffee to constituents.

"The weekend was awful for so many across Keighley and Ilkley," he said. "I want to say a big 'thank you' to all our key workers who have helped fix damaged electricity lines, and volunteers on the ground who have done so much to help people. They have done a fantastic job in difficult conditions."

Bradford Council said its teams had been working round the clock to support people affected by the power cuts.

Over 1,500 properties in the Bradford district lost electricity.

Respite centres were opened at venues including St Barnabas Church at Thwaites Brow, Silsden Methodist Church, Silsden Town Hall, Denholme Youth Centre and St Mary’s in Riddlesden.

Council leader, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, said: “We’ve had an extremely busy weekend with officers, volunteers, residents and councillors all working hard to support householders."