FINAL pieces are being put into place for a town’s first-ever jigsaw festival.

More than 60 volunteers, ranging in age from six to 86, have been working throughout the winter to create spectacular displays for the event.

Jigsaw enthusiasts from across the district are expected to converge on Silsden Town Hall for the festival, on Saturday, April 13.

The volunteer helpers, under the direction of organiser Wendy Neville, have put together more than 300 jigsaw puzzles – covering a wide range of themes – on specially-created boards.

They will be exhibited on the day and offered for sale.

Other attractions at the event will include a children’s corner and competitions, an all-day cafe, a jigsaw-themed raffle and a tombola.

All proceeds will go to the Friends of Silsden Town Hall, who now run the premises as a community asset.

In preparation for the event, Mrs Neville has been on fact-finding visits to long-established jigsaw festivals staged by other towns, including Brighouse and Ilkley.

Jigsaws date back to the 1760s, when European cartographers began to paste maps onto pieces of wood.

Soon afterwards an Englishman, John Spilsbury, first commercialised the making of puzzles.

The hobby reached its height of popularity during the early to mid-20th century – before the advent of television – with jigsaws being regarded as a cheap, long-lasting and recyclable activity for indoor use and appealing to all age groups.

Children’s puzzles became particularly sought-after when favourite Walt Disney characters began to appear on them.

And the pastime has seen another surge in interest in recent years, with jigsaws being promoted by health organisations, particularly in the fields of autism and dementia.

But Mrs Neville says that above all, the puzzles are “great fun as well as a challenge”.

“Sometimes people are a bit dismissive of the idea at first and then suddenly find themselves hooked,” she adds.

“Everyone is welcome to attend the festival – and I can assure visitors that not a single piece will be missing!

“We might even be the springboard for a new obsession in Silsden!”

Admission to the event, which runs from 9.30am to 5pm, will be £1.

Volunteer helpers are still needed on the day. Anyone interested should contact Mrs Neville on 01274 824759.