A horse-drawn boat was in Bradford for the first time in 60 years as part of the annual world heritage celebrations at Saltaire.

The Elland horseboat was brought to Saltaire by the Horse Boating Society.

It was the first time it had returned to the Saltaire stretch of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal in more than half a century to join in the World Heritage Site celebrations.

Sue Day, of the Society, said that it had been a brilliant experience to bring the horse boat on Saturday.

“There were lovely crowds of people who came out to see us,” she added. “The British Waterways removed the towpath barrier to allow the horse to cross which was great. We also did harnessing demonstrations as part of the event.”

It was just one of many attractions which included the return of alpacas – the animal whose wool was responsible for Saltaire’s prosperity after Sir Titus Salt discovered how to spin it to make fine cloth – following their success last year.

Local artist Lou Sumray helped children create their own miniature alpacas to take home.

“We have been non stop with some children spending most of the day here,” she said.

“Learning about history is essential and they have been using all sorts of fabrics to decorate their alpacas.”

Organiser Rob Martin, of Saltaire Village Society, speaking about The Elland, said: “It is one of the connections with the past. People can see what it was like before horse-drawn boats died out.”

Saltaire historian Hattie Townsend wrote the play, After the War was Over, for the event, which explored how the lives of five characters were shattered following the end of World War One.

The play was based on true events and had been researched with the help of Saltaire History Club and Bradford World War I group.

There was also a treasure hunt, walks, a Victorian fun fair in Roberts Park and textile and knitting workshops throughout the weekend.

Fans of sci-fi genre Steampunk, a take on Victorian fashion and technology, gathered in the village for the start of the celebration weekend.

Wearing customised 19th century military and airship uniforms, brass goggles, copper, tweed and corsets, they celebrated the birth of the model village.

Steampunk band BB Blackdog kicked off celebrations with psychedelic music at Caroline Street Social Club on Friday, April 20.

Early western European musicians Ovibus performed songs composed between the tenth and 13th centuries.