Lord Mayor Councillor Stanley King and Lady Mayoress Mrs Barbara Ball visited Victoria Hall on Wednesday afternoon to offer their support.

Councillor King says: "It's a tribute to the people who have been affected that they are so philosophical about the situation because they have suffered a lot of damage to their homes and it's going to take a long while to sort it out.

"The people of Keighley have taken the situation remarkably well and have rallied around to help others.

"I'm sure anything that the council can do, it is doing, and I would certainly pay tribute to the social services and catering people who have rallied around magnificently.

"I'm sure the worse thing for everyone is not knowing how long it's going to go on and how long it will take to make houses habitable again."

Women's Royal Voluntary Service members also answered the call by providing food and drink for the people using the emergency centre.

Ray Evans, emergency services manager for the WRVS in West Yorkshire says: "These teams of volunteers are doing a great job, working through the night to make things a little bit easier for the people affected by the floods.

Other local community groups rallying around included the Sangat Centre, which provided food and transport for people at Victoria Hall.

It is also offering a translation service for people with communication problems, as well as extra sessions to help people with their insurance claims. More information can be obtained by phoning 01535 610263 or 01535 691413.

Airedale NHS Trust and Airedale Primary Care Trust were praised for providing towels and blankets.

Members of Keighley Town Centre Management Group collected a huge haul of items to take to the centre.

"The response from traders was overwhelming and we are very grateful," says Wendy Benson, from the group.

Donations were received from W H Smith, Virgin Records, Argos, Woolworth, Sunwin House and Home, Scooby's, Poundstretcher, What Everyone Wants, Conways, Keighley Area Panel and the Town Centre Management

Sainsbury's provided food and drink and Comet televisions for Victoria Hall. The Keighley News provided toys and games.

Moguls restaurant, in Skipton Road, also provided food for the temporary centre.