CELEBRITIES have been visiting and name-checking Otley as part of the 2018 Yorkshire Day celebrations.

The town's 21 pubs all adopted the names of regional stars this week to mark the occasion.

That meant people could enjoy a drink in the likes of the Dame Judi Dench (The Horse and Farrier), The Sean Bean (The Fleece) or The Jarvis Cocker (The Manor House) on Wednesday, August 1.

Among the celebrities visiting the town for the occasion were Dickie Bird OBE, who popped into 'his' inn - The Otley Tavern - on Saturday, July 28.

He was joined by members of the Dickie Bird Foundation, Otley Town Mayor Councillor Mary Vickers and representatives from Otley Pub Club - the organisers of the Yorkshire Day promotion.

Landlord of The Otley Tavern Peter Jackson said: "I was delighted that Dickie could spare a couple of hours with customers.

"It was unfortunate that our darts tournament, on behalf of his foundation, had to be cancelled - it would have made the day extra special.

"However Dickie and the foundation have agreed to return at a later date for this event.

"The time spent with him was magnificent, he really is a true Yorkshireman. He took time to speak to customers and have a photo taken with them.

"To my surprise not only did Dickie spend some time with us but he also presented me with a signed book.

"We are looking forward to his return in the very near future."

Another high-profile visitor on August 1 was gold medal-winning Paralympian Hannah Cockroft, who was due to pop in to The Hannah Cockroft (The Junction Inn).

A special ale, which The Junction has named Hurricane Hannah's Yorkshire Blonde, was produced by Wharfedale Brewery for the occasion.

Other celebrities, meanwhile, were happy to talk up the event.

Ricky Wilson from Kaiser Chiefs, whose name is hanging above The Yew Tree, read out a text about Otley's Yorkshire Day celebrations while co-hosting the Radio 2 Jo Whiley show on Tuesday.

Radio and TV presenter Anita Rani posted a photograph of The Stew and Oyster on Instagram, with the message: "The proudest day of my life! Yorkshire and proud!"

And Ralph Ineson - whose acting credits include roles in Game of Thrones, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and The Office - was delighted to hear that The Otley Tap House had been named in his honour.

Posting on Twitter, he said: "Got a pub named after me for #Yorkshireday tomorrow, thank you Otley Pub Club, well chuffed."

Other big names donated special items to their namesake pubs.

Champion cyclist Lizzie Armitstead, who hails from the town, sent a signed shirt to The Royalty while Alan Bennett provided a message and line drawing on a postcard.

And a big poster showing a photograph of Dame Judi Dench, plus the content of her emails about the day, is on show at The Horse and Farrier.

Otley Bellman Terry Ford also ushered in August by reading the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity at noon in Manchester Square, and then in the Market Place.