KEIGHLEY district has blossomed in this year's Yorkshire in Bloom awards.

Parks and other attractions have picked up top accolades in the annual competition.

Cliffe Castle Park was crowned overall winner in the category for parks, gardens, cemeteries and public buildings.

Judges described it as "a wonderful park providing amazing community facilities and support".

They praised the maintenance of the site and the fact it's used for a wide range of events – including health and wellbeing activities, workshops and arts projects.

Wilsden Park also received recognition, with a platinum award, and there was a gold prize for Wilsden in Bloom closed churchyard.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for healthy people and places, welcomed the park honours.

She said: "The awards are testimony to the hard work and commitment of our parks and green spaces service, friends groups and many other volunteers and community organisations.

"Our parks and green spaces have become even more valuable and vital over the last couple of years, so all involved deserve this level of recognition."

Keighley in Bloom was awarded a silver gilt in the large town category.

And Mike Cunningham, of Keighley in Bloom, received a community champion award.

Judges said Riddlesden St Mary's Primary School was "a delight" to visit.

The Airedale Shopping Centre won gold and was joint category winner in the large businesses section.

It was described as "a real asset" for Keighley, both for the community and businesses. The site was "very well maintained", with good facilities and high-standard cleanliness.

Centre manager, Steve Seymour, says: "I was really pleased with the gold award and that we jointly won the category with White Rose and Crystal Peaks.

"It shows we are competing and holding our own against the big shopping centres.

"I'm proud of our achievement. It's a fantastic team effort. We have a small but committed team here at the Airedale Centre."

The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway was also amongst the winners, scooping a silver gilt award in the tourist attraction category.

A spokesperson said: "Our volunteers have done an amazing job, after keeping up with the gardens during the pandemic for the past couple of years and now winning another award.

"It's great to see our green-fingered volunteers gain some external recognition for all their hard work – especially dealing with the difficult growing conditions of a 150-year-old railway with its ash-ridden soil and gardens!"