EAST Riddlesden Hall has many attractions to tempt visitors, but organisers of Sunday's Astrofestival were lured to the historic manor house by its isolated location.

That means a lack of light pollution which meant the night's stargazing event was more successful than if it had been attempted closer to the city.

Bradford Astronomical Society, supported by those in Keighley and Leeds, put on the event, but made a day of it with solar observing – looking at the sun, using safe techniques, during the afternoon, with the focus switching to the sky at night after dark.

During the day families were tempted by a series of other events including a junior foot pump rocket competition, an RSPB walk on the wild side and other fun and games.

A series of speakers, all experts in the field of astronomy, were lined up to speak at the hall's tithe barn as darkness fell, before visitors were given instruction on how to get the best out of stargazing.

The hall's community learning officer, Shelley Hollingdrake, said there had been a good flow of visitors through the course of the day.

"We were approached by Bradford Astronomical Society because we have a dark site," she said.