A RAINBOW train and a performance by leading singer-songwriter Claire Mooney will be highlights of the first Keighley Pride this weekend.

The celebration of LGBTQ+ culture will feature music and comedy performances in central Keighley throughout Saturday.

And people can take a colourful train ride on a decorated diesel train from Keighley to Ingrow for further performances.

Festivities focus on Central Hall, in Alice Street, with entertainment beginning at 2pm and running into the late evening.

Admission is free up to 7pm, then £3 for under-18s and £5 for over-18s. Under 18s have to leave at 9pm.

The afternoon will include performances by drag host Marigold Addams, HUG – Haworth Ukulele Group, vocal-piano duo Ruth & Emii, singer-songwriters Izak Wilkinson and Claire Mooney, and five-piece band Playing For Kicks.

There will be 16 stalls with information, activities and items for sale.

A Keighley Pride spokesman said: “Everything in the afternoon is about the whole community, diversity as well as inclusion, tolerance and acceptance of LGBTQ.

The evening will include a disco and performances from drag host Mysti Valentine piano vocalist Ruth Nielsen, upcoming performer Smashby, and comedian Bobbie-Ann Jones.

The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway will deck out one of its diesel trains in rainbow colours to herald its involvement in Keighley Pride.

Activities focus on Ingrow station where at 11am Keighley MP John Grogan will officially launch Keighley’s involvement in the national Heritage Days.

Immediately afterwards there will be a short play about Ann Lister, alias Gentleman Jack, the lesbian landowner and industrialist of Halifax whose story was recently a hit BBC drama.

The special train will set off from Keighley station at 11.35am, to be greeted at Ingrow at about 11.45am by flag-waving crowds. There will then be a second performance of Gentleman Jack followed by songs from well-known Manchester singer-songwriter and LGBTQ+ campaigner Claire Mooney.

Keighley Pride is supported by Bradford Council, Bradford Voluntary and Community Sector Alliance and Keighley Town Council, and Keighley College and Bradford Youth Service who are helping before and during the event.

Visit Keighley Pride on Facebook for further information.

Keighley-born Marigold Addams has spent 18 years performing stand-up comedy and singing, while Mysti Valentine is a Bradford drag diva, gender illusionist and chanteuse.

Smashby is a 21-year-old queer pop artist who promises catchy bops and an infectiously energetic persona. Singer Izak Wilkinson, from Bingley, will perform his rhythmic guitar songs.