Keighley’s newest community worker hopes to inspire townspeople to organise their own activities.

Karen Wadsworth plans to set up as many groups as possible in neighbourhoods like Braithwaite, Fell Lane, Lund Park and Laycock.

Bradford Council-funded Karen, a community development worker in Keighley West ward, will then support residents to ensure the groups flourish.

Karen, who is employed by Keighley Volunteer Centre, said: “I want to come in with fresh ideas and look at what hasn’t been done in the past.

“I’m going to be supporting people, empowering them, but it has to be their ideas. There's a lot of talent out there.”

Karen has already started a sewing group at the Rainbow Centre in Braithwaite and plans a craft group at the nearby Keith Thompson Centre.

Keighley-born Karen, 51, lives in Oxenhope with partner Maz Simmons and has a son, Ben, daughter Lauren, and three grandsons.

In the past she has worked as a community development worker with Keighley Voluntary Services and as a park ranger, and most recently was a family support worker in Manningham.

Anyone wishing to contact Karen, particularly if they want to help with new groups in Keighley West, should call 07895 071105 or email karen@keighleyvc.co.uk.