External work on the latest Keighley Townscape Heritage Initiative project will be complete before the Tour de France passes through the town.

There will be no scaffolding on the building in High Street, which is occupied by clothing shop Jean Junction, when townspeople gather to watch the cycle race next July.

The pledge has been made by Sue Oakley, the Bradford Council officer overseeing the Townscape Heritage Initiative.

The project is bringing £2.7 million of Council and Heritage Lottery Fund money to Keighley to bring town centre buildings back to their Edwardian and Victorian glory.

The focus of the report was 3 High Street, which Miss Oakley described as a Priority One project.

She said: “The building is listed Grade II and is one of the most high-profile buildings in the area.

“The work will be programmed so that all scaffolding is down by the Tour de France.”

Miss Oakley told councillors that improvement work would include external repairs and structural work, a new internal staircase, and reinstatement of sash windows and shop front details.

The building was constructed in 1876 for the Duke of Devonshire.