ORGANISERS who raced against the clock to stage a live, Keighley, public outdoor screening of England's World Cup semi-final game have thanked everyone who helped.

The venture was led by the 1 Vision charity, with Keighley Cougars donating its venue for free for the event, which was attended by about 500 people.

Planning began only 24 hours ahead of England's game against Croatia.

Keighley resident and 1 Vision spokesman Razaq Hussain said the fundraising drive mounted by his group to fund the screening managed to raise £1,600 out of a target of £3,000. He thanked Bradford Council for its confirmation that it would make up the shortfall.

"MP John Grogan and councillors Chris Herd and Kaneez Akthar were also very supportive," he added.

"And our business sponsors – including main sponsors Shimla Spice, Game On and Shimla Express – were brilliant. Without all these people we couldn't have done it at such short notice. To pull it off in just 24 hours was amazing.

"While the game didn't have the result we were hoping for we're still proud of the team and it was fantastic to see all of Keighley's communities united."

Responding to the successful screening, Keighley MP John Grogan said: "I think the football World Cup has truly united the nation and indeed has united Keighley.

"People who've never taken the slightest interest in the game before have been gripped by the drama.

"In Keighley, I've been struck by how much the British Asian population embraced the tournament every bit as much as everybody else.

"The England team and their manager gave a positive, modern impression of England with no less than seven Yorkshiremen in the squad.

"I was delighted to support the experiment of showing the semi final at Cougar Park.

"We've all seen on television some of the atmosphere at screenings of the matches up and down the country and some of that magic was felt at the home of Keighley Rugby League last Wednesday."

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council's executive member for sport, said: “Razaq and 1 Vision did a great job pulling this screening together and we were really pleased to be able to support it.

"Despite the result it was good to see the people of Keighley coming together to back the England team and celebrate their fantastic achievements at this World Cup."

* With football fever gripping the nation, staff at Steeton-based Acorn Stairlifts celebrated "Waistcoat Wednesday" in the run-up to England’s semi-final clash.

In a tribute to the sartorial style of England manager Gareth Southgate, staff members donned their waistcoats to help relieve tension in the hours before the big match.

And members of the firm’s finance team went one step further, making their own World Cup waistcoats from colourful card.

As well as being a bit of football related fun, the event also boosted fundraising for Manorlands Hospice, which is the adopted local charity of Acorn Stairlifts.