Youngsters rose to the occasion when they took part in a novelty Yorkshire pudding race.

The comic version of a pancake race was just one of the attractions organised as part of Keighley Children's Festival, which also coincided with Yorkshire Day.

The free festival -- organised and funded by Keighley Town Centre Management and partners, including Sunwin House, Marks & Spencer, Boots and Keighley Market -- is being run on weekends in the summer holiday to keep youngsters smiling.

Town centre manager Sandra Parnham said: "We have never done anything for Yorkshire Day but we had great fun with events like the town criers competition and Yorkshire pudding race, and it is something we are definitely thinking of repeating in the future. Apart from the first Friday, which was rained off and had to be moved indoors, the festival has gone smashing. "We have had lots of face painting because it is so popular with the children and there have been street entertainers in Townfield, the Airedale Centre and also walking around."

Chairman of the town centre management group, Councillor Andrew Mallinson, said: "Once again we have had a very successful festival and I hope town centre retailers have seen the benefits of families being attracted into the town centre.

"We have been quite fortunate with the weather and it has brought out a fantastic response from families. The festival is evidence of how the partnership delivers projects and our doors are always open for new partners to come on board."

Family entertainers today and tomorrow will include Colonel Custard with his Punch and Judy Show, magician Mr Trix and Shirley Ray, with Figment the Dinosaur.

Keighley College is holding fun workshops for children today including mini dry stone walling, painting and media make up, from 11am to 12.30pm, and 1.30 to 3pm. Anyone interested should ask for details at the college reception. There will also be face painting in Keighley Market.

For the final weekend (August 15 and 16) the Bread and Butter Theatre Company makes a welcome return, with Big Rory and Wee Dougie, and stilt walker Kris Katchit also entertaining. The festival will end on a high note on the final day when Small World stages a huge percussion session in Town Hall Square.