Over 250 people in Keighley signed a petition demanding that the Government does more to stimulate the economy and invest in job creation and training.

The names were collected in a two-hour period at Low Street, by Keighley Trades Union Council and local Labour party volunteers and councillors. The event was to highlight the issue of youth unemployment in the area.

The petition was later handed in to the office of Keighley MP Kris Hopkins by Coun Jan Smithies. She said: “This is clearly an issue lots of people are very concerned about in Keighley.

“As well as young people coming up to us to sign the petition and tell us about their experiences, we also had lots of parents and grandparents who are extremely anxious about employment prospects for their children and grandchildren.

“The Council is doing its best via the Get Bradford Working initiative but we need the Government to understand the reality of life for people in towns like Keighley.”