Crowds turned out in their tens of thousands to welcome the Olympic Flame to Keighley, Skipton and Ilkley.

Bradford Council has estimated crowds of 20,000 each witnessed the historic event in both Keighley and Ilkley. And in Skipton, it was reckoned 25,000 people saw the relay.

People were stood several deep along the route, cheering and applauding as the Torch relay made its way through the towns yesterday.

In Keighley, the three torchbearers – Catherine Bull, Jerry Ward and Rodger Davies – each carried the flame for about 300 metres, urged on by enthusiastic flag-waving townspeople and visitors.

Michelle Cooper was there with her two young children. “I’ve watched the torch on the television and wanted to see it for real,” she said. “It was really good, we’ve had a great time.”

Several activities were held in the town to celebrate the torch’s arrival. As the relay passed the Shared Church, the bells were rung, and members of several denominations combined for an event on Church Green. There was a free barbecue – which attracted a massive queue – sports and games, live music and craft activities, and at 4pm there was an Olympic themed service.

Organiser Derek Walmsley, vicar of St Mark’s at Utley, said: “It’s great that the torch came to Keighley. We saw this as an opportunity to be at the heart of the community and this event was our gift to the town. The town council provided some funding and the churches have done the rest, especially all the volunteers needed to make the day successful.

“It’s been a fantastic afternoon.”

Keighley Town Council staged entertainment in Town Hall Square, where two bands – Foxes Faux and Night Patrol – performed. There were also jugglers and a stilt walker around the town.

Keighley town mayor Councillor George Metcalf praised people for turning out in such numbers along the route and said he was hugely proud.

“The weather is great and so many residents have come along to give their support – I am proud of them and proud to be mayor in this special year,” he said.

An estimated 25,000 people flocked to Skipton to watch the Torch relay through the town.

Craven District Council chairman Chris Harbron said it was the “best atmosphere” he had ever seen in the town.

The flame arrived in Keighley Road shortly after 4pm and crowds lined the streets to see the relay make its way into the town centre.

The Olympic Flame was carried up the High Street, around the war memorial and back down the High Street again, giving observers a rare second chance to see it. It is understood to be the only time along the whole 8,000 mile route that the relay has doubled back on itself.

Organisers declared the day a success and Skipton Mayor, Coun Wendy Clark, said: “It’s not often that anyone can say they have witnessed a genuine once-in-a-lifetime event. The Olympic Torch passing through Skipton is certainly something none of us will see again.”

The torch left Skipton via Otley Road at about 4.30pm, before it was taken by convoy to Ilkley.

The sun came out at just the right time to welcome the Olympic Flame to the town.

And the spectators were treated to the sight of one of their own, 74-year-old Margaret Cook, as one of the trio of torchbearers.

Mrs Cook, a former nurse, who has been instrumental in helping the Soroptimists Inter-national in Sierra Leone, was wreathed in smiles as she accepted the flame.

She then set off at a gentle jog acknowledging the crowds, who had taken up every available vantage point, including the top of traffic lights, and were 20 deep in some places along the route.

Mrs Cook, of Ilkley, was also accompanied by the bells of All Saints Church, which sounded a full peal to announce the arrival of the relay.