But chairman of the gala committee Gian Gabbi warned that unless more people volunteered to help organise the community event, this year's would be the last.

He said: "It is a very nice feeling to see such a huge crowd of locals.

"But the gala committee is going through a serious crisis. We are desperately short of members. I am afraid this may be the last ever Mytholmroyd Gala. The village will sadly lose a wonderful community event.

"I am proud to belong to such a strong community and I would like to stress how important it is to keep such events alive."

The event was opened by Mayor of Hebden Royd, Susan Press, and was attended by the Mayor of Calderdale Conrad Winterburn, and deputy mayor of Todmorden Cheryl Stovin.

Councillor Press said: "It would be very sad if an occasion like this, which is so much part of community life in Mytholmroyd, were not to happen again."

Results
Fancy dress: five and under – individual: 1, Mya Tidswell, age four, fairy; 2, Lana Elliott, age four, ladybird; 3, Charlie Myers age three, King Bee. Five to seven: 1, Poppy Ogden, age five, pixie; 2, Jake Steel, age seven, bat; 3, Alex Myers, age seven, butterfly. Group: 1, Ruby Owers and Molly Blacker, age six, trees; 2, Rosin Eoin and Vinny Johnson, age six, cowboy and cowgirl. Eight to 11 – individual: 1, Lauren Best, age 11, Mother Nature; 2, Rhona Adams, age 11, gnome; 3, Penny Brown, age 10, butterfly. Group: 1, Hayden Bellinie, age 18 months, and Jack Woodhead age nine, Noah's Ark: 2, Jenny Timpson and Olivia Foster, age nine, flower girls; 3, Amy Ingrham and Alice Timpson, age 11, flower fairies. 12 to 16 group: 1, Ella McNullty, age 14, Lucy Green, age 13, Collette NcNullty, age 10, and Zip the dog – Tinkerbell and Co. 16 plus – individual: 1, Tracy Hunt – sea spirit. Group: 1, Burnley Road School Teachers – nature and conservation.
Baby show: youngest in show: Milly Ann Toner - born June 20, 2008, boys, nine to 18 months: 1, Taylor Howard; 2, Ethan Jay Hewit; 3, Ethan Broadbent, girls nine to 18 months: 1, Bethany Kerr; 2, Rosalind Pritchard; 3, Sophie May Gibson, over 18 months: 1, Hayden Bellenie; 2, Marley Owen Clayton; 3, Abbie Price.
Overall winner: Taylor Howard