Politicians and pop stars, academics and business chiefs are being challenged to say why they love the town where they grew up.

Bafta winning film-maker Simon Beaufoy, who last week was honoured for best screenplay for the film Slumdog Millionaire, controversial pundit Alistair Campbell and veteran politician Denis Healey, Lord Healey of Riddlesden, are being invited to contribute to a new website championing Keighley.

As Keighlians who have made their mark globally, they can now help stamp world-wide their town of origin.

The site – lovekeighley.co.uk – is the brainchild of the Keighley Town Centre Association, the business-led organisation which already has more than 200 members both in the public and private sectors. Adding its weight is Keighley Town Council and Bradford Council.

The brief is to re-brand the town, to attract more visitors both to spend money and to enjoy its heritage and countryside. Hundreds attended the start of the campaign on Valentine’s Day which was held in a marquee on the town’s Church Green where people could get retro-style Love Keighley memorabilia such as bags, T-shirts and key rings in a bid to promote the re-branding mission.

Keighley town centre manager, Philip Smith, said they were hoping to get celebrities who have links with the town to sign up.

He said: “We’d love to get Simon Beaufoy involved and perhaps our MP Ann Cryer can get Alistair Campbell on board.

“The town has links with the Kaiser Chiefs and of course Tony Wright of Terrorvision.

“The new brand is part of a campaign to highlight to potential visitors, as well as existing residents, the extent and variety on offer in the town from attractions, arts and sport, to shopping, education and services.

“The site also offers opportunity for people to feed in what they are doing. It is early days yet and more work has to be done,” he said.

Mr Wright, former singer songwriter for 1990s hit band Terrorvision, has made his home in Oldfield, Keighley, and is backing the initiative.

He said: “Keighley has a lot going for it. It has a good mix culturally and artistically and it has some great architecture.

“It has attracted people from all over the world – it always has done and that’s just one of its assets.

“I don’t actually think people know what they’ve got and this website is a way of showing Keighley for what it is.”

People are being urged to pick up one of the We Love Keighley slogans – available in the Telegraph & Argus sister paper, the Keighley News, and stick them in their cars and in windows at home to spread the message.

e-mail: clive.white @telegraphandargus.co.uk