It was a chance for Bradford to say thank you to the selfless individuals from Ilkley who work tirelessly behind the scenes in the community.

More than 70 outstanding people received a civic 'thank you' last week for their continual hard work in the area.

Voluntary workers in Ilkley were congratulated by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Coun Ghazanfer Khaliq and Shahnaz Khaliq, in a special ceremony at the Kings Hall.

The Lord Mayor has been visiting people across the district to thank them and to speak to them about the work they do. The guests from the community were invited to take coffee and cake with the Lord Mayor and were able to sign his special visitors' book.

The mood of the afternoon was set by the tranquil melodies from Ilkley Grammar School pupils who provided the musical entertainment.

Groups included Ilkley Parish Council, Addingham Parish Council, Addingham Civic Society, Ben Rhydding Mothers Union, Ilkley Soroptimists, Ilkley in Bloom, Addingham Cubs and Beavers, the Darwin Trust, Ilkley and District Art Federation, Ilkley Garden Federation, New Horizon Orchestra, St Margaret's Church, Olicana Historical Society, Ilkley University of the Third Age, Meals on Wheels, Ilkley Stroke Club, Wharfedale Music Festival, Ben Rhydding Bowling Club, Ilkley Concert Club, the Guide Association, Ilkley Evening Towns Women's Guild, All Saints Church, RSPCA, Ilkley Community Fund, Ilkley Council for Voluntary Services, Access for the Disabled, Wharfedale Rotary Club and the Air Training Corps.

The Lord and Lady Mayoress have already hosted Civic Thank You events in Bingley and Shipley and are planning one for Keighley.

Coun Khaliq said: "A lot of hard-working and good-hearted people put a tremendous amount of their own time and energy into their local communities. We want them to know how much we appreciate their efforts and these events give us a chance to say a personal thank you.

"We started these events last year and this will be the second held. I am hoping that the next mayor will continue to hold them."

Representatives from All Saints Pre-school Playgroup, committee chairman Nicola Allan and playgroup leader Paula Matthews, attended the ceremony.

The playgroup is an essential facility for the community and has more than 60 children attending it.

The group is presently fighting to keep the playgroup after it discovered in September 2001 that funds for its move to the new All Saints School site were not available.

The group must find £100,000 if it wants to move to the same site as All Saints School otherwise it must find temporary accommodation elsewhere.

Chairman Nicola Allan said: "We have spent the year trying to raise funds for the relocation. We have got about £10,000 so far but we cannot properly start fundraising until we have been given our notice at our present site.

"The playgroup is run on a shoestring with five committee members and staff. It is extremely important to the community and we will be fighting to keep it here.

"It is nice to see the Lord Mayor and talk to other groups about our situation to listen to their advice. A lot of people there were volunteers and it is nice to get a pat on the back for the work that we do."

A spokesman for the Lord Mayor said: "We try to invite as many of the local groups who work in the community to thank them for the work they do. The Lord Mayor greets them and it is an opportunity for him to speak with all of the groups."

Betty Lievesley has worked for the Good Neighbour section of the Council for Voluntary Services in Ilkley for more than ten years.

The 84-year-old was formerly an officer in the army and during the London Blitz was in charge of guns and searchlights.

Now she spends her days helping at the Good Neighbours office in Ilkley and with talking newspapers for the blind.

She said: "It's really nice that they have days like today. I work about six hours at for the ICVS and I really enjoy it."

Arthritis Care has been running in Ilkley for seven years, with 80 members they help people suffering from arthritis and their families.

Chairman of Arthritis Care, Gill Bowskill said: "I think it is nice to meet other people who are volunteers and to let people know what we do. We all work hard and help people who come to us. It was a very pleasant afternoon."

Sue Watkins, from Ilkley Council for Voluntary Service, said: "I think it is nice for all the volunteers to be seen by the council. It was a very pleasant afternoon and Ilkley Grammar School must be congratulated on their pupils who played at the event - the music was wonderful."

The Chairman of Addingham Parish Council, Gordon Campbell, said: "It is nice that when you give up your time for no reward that they recognise the work that you do and thank us in this way."