A Keighley toyshop owner has spoken exclusively about how he plans to rebuild his life after being cleared of indecency charges.

Barry Walker was back at the Conways Toymaster premises in Cavendish Street this week following his fortnight-long trial.

A jury at Bradford Crown Court last Friday took less than 90 minutes to clear him of allegations that he indecently assaulted four women. He was found not guilty on all 12 charges he faced.

Mr Walker, 58, a father-of-two, told us: "I intend taking a holiday once I have got everything straight at the shop.

"These things are extremely stressful.

"I have a mind that is strong. I have built up Toymaster, and it isn't going to be knocked over by a few lies."

Mr Walker criticises the media coverage of the case, claiming that it was unfair.

Immediately after the hearing Mr Walker - from Menston - said he always knew he had done nothing wrong, and he thanked his family and staff for their support.

Mr Walker had been accused of committing the indecency offences between October 1995 and June last year.

But he denied all the allegations made by the women and suggested they might have been part of a 'conspiracy of vengeance' against him.

During the trial, defence barrister Robert Smith accused one of the women of telling lies in court and said the two main allegations outlined by the prosecution could never have occurred.

Summing up his defence, Mr Smith had asked the jury: "Is this prosecution tainted by what is going to be proved to be demonstrably false complaints by one woman who is known to the others?"

Mr Walker has built Conways into one of the north's largest toy shops.

In 1987 celebrations were held to mark the expansion of the premises, which when Mr Walker bought them were devoted entirely to leathercraft.

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