Happycat Jones had a busy time last weekend as he visited local galas to spread the word about Keighley Festival.

The cuddly toy, who is popular among local schoolchildren, visited events in Oakworth, Keighley and Denholme. His owner, Malcolm Hanson, wanted to ensure people knew about the nine-day festival, which runs until tomorrow.

Mr Hanson said most of the first few days’ events had been successful, despite problems with the weather.

He said: “Possibly the most successful small event of the weekend was the Jam On Top open day. Mums and dads were queuing up to put their kids on ‘air’.

“Community days at Thwaites and Bracken Bank saw Keighley people at their best, with children such as Calum Palmer and Lauren Tretton raising funds for charity by getting splattered with foam was a delight.

“The Civic Centre ghost night had people shivering when a phantom cat was reputedly seen and a scream was heard simultaneously by people in different parts of the building!”

The festival was launched last Friday with activities at the “festival shop” in the Airedale Shopping Centre, including a performance by illusionist Liam Rothbotham.

Oakbank School students Lauren Feather and Ella Gill went along to the launch without realising they were to be given an award for their work raising money for Keighley Cat Care. Mr Hanson said an exhibition in the shop of 15 life-size paintings of kings and queens, by local school children, proved popular, particularly St Andrew’s CE Primary School’s Alfred the Great.

Central Crafters invited people to their Central Hall meeting to watch them creating a knitted wall hanging.

Group member Sheila Booth said: “This is the first year we have taken part in the festival and it has been immense fun. We will certainly be in it again next year.”

The festival was continuing today with the premiere of a community orchestra at the Temple Row Centre, from 1.30pm-4pm, and the Yet an Even More Amazing Night schools performance, at Victoria Hall at 6.30pm.

Also today: fun and games with NOTHY Club, Parkside Social Club, Haworth, noon-4pm; KASA floodlit cricket, Marley Stadium, 6pm; Comedy Checkout improvisation show, Exchange Arts Centre, 7pm; Keighley Table Tennis club open night, Keighley Business Centre, 7pm.

Tomorrow: KYDZ Keighley Youth Theatre performs Drama Queens, Oakworth Methodist Church, 7.30pm; covers from Fischers Ghost, Cricketers Arms, 7.30pm; ghost hunt, Keighley Playhouse, 8-11pm.

More details are available from keighleyfestival.co.uk.