A NEWLY-planted orchard has been dedicated to the memory of a long-serving Keighley councillor and disability campaigner.

The wood – on Damems Nature Trail – has been named after Barry Thorne, a councillor for over 30 years and Lord Mayor of Bradford in 1992-93.

He represented Keighley West on Bradford Council for three decades, before serving on Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council and then latterly Keighley Town Council. He died in 2019.

Thorne Wood forms part of a tree planting initiative undertaken by Keighley Town Council in partnership with the Environment Agency.

The then town mayor Councillor Julie Adams and chair of the allotments and landscapes committee Councillor John Kirby joined the Rev Dr Tracey Raistrick and Barry's widow, Patricia, to dedicate the orchard.

Councillor Adams said the wood was "a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the community".

Thanks were expressed to everyone involved in the project.

Councillor Kirby said: "This living memorial will be a lasting tribute to someone who not only campaigned on behalf of disabled and disadvantaged people, but took a keen interest in the preservation of the environment and the creation of new natural habitats and accessible green spaces."