Keighley is going for gold and bloom bosses are stepping up efforts to tidy the town after it narrowly missed out on a top accolade.

They are appealing for people to “adopt” an area to keep clean so Keighley can improve on the silver gilt award it won in last year’s Yorkshire in Bloom contest.

The group which spearheads the town’s entry has just learned that it was “within a whisker” of gaining gold.

David Petyt, of Keighley in Bloom, said points were deducted last year because of damaged hanging baskets, poorly-painted street furniture, weeds and litter.

Anyone interested in helping should call Stephanie Bottomley on (01535) 618095 e-mail Stephanie.bottomley@bradford.gov.uk, or call at the Keighley Town Centre Association offices.