A TRANSPORT festival over three years in the planning is now just a fortnight away.

The concept was first discussed in October, 2018, at a meeting chaired by the then Keighley MP John Grogan.

Four organisations were represented – Craven Old Wheels Society, the Canal & River Trust, the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society and the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

Now the In Motion Keighley Transport Festival is about to take place, on Thursday and Friday, June 2 and 3.

And 32 organisations are involved.

"I’m pretty certain that neither John Grogan nor anyone else present at that first meeting realised how complicated the organisation of such an event would be – and no one knew how long it would take to bring the show to the public," said festival co-ordinator, Graham Mitchell.

He added that the event couldn't have reached fruition without financial support from Keighley Big Local, the town council's events and leisure committee, Northern Rail and Bradford Council's visitor promotion fund, plus the "continuous help, advice, support and commitment of scores of dedicated volunteers".

The free festival will operate from eight sites, and Mr Mitchell asks that people don't drive to the locations.

He says: "Please use free parking on the council car park at Scott Street or in the multi-storey car park at the Airedale Shopping Centre. Keighley Bus Company will operate a free 15-minute-frequency service from Keighley bus station around all the festival sites."

A brochure containing details of all festival activities is available from the bus station, Keighley Town Hall, the library and railway stations at Haworth, Oakworth, Ingrow and Keighley.

Information can also be found at keighley-in-motion.co.uk.

As part of the festival, Keighley and District Local History Society is staging an exhibition ­– Ten Tales of Transport – upstairs at the civic centre both days.

Tales include how Keighley was an important stopping stage for horse-drawn coach services in the 18th and 19th centuries, a look at the popular cycling clubs of the 1940s/50s, the town's bus and railway stations, Keighley's fundraising efforts for two fighter planes during the Second World War and how electric trams ran between Utley, Ingrow and Stockbridge.

One of the tales – about the electric trams – will be shared by St John’s Church at Ingrow, which will be open both days of the festival, 10am-4pm. Norah’s Kitchen, in the church, will be serving drinks and cake.