Royal wedding fever is gripping Wharfedale with the nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton little more than a week away.

With some forecasters predicting fine weather, next Friday, organisers are making their final preparations for a raft of special events to mark the occasion A bumper turnout is anticipated in Ilkley with a community afternoon tea party on The Grove.

Limited amounts of tea, coffee, soft drinks and cakes will all be available at the Bandstand from 3pm to 6pm for the free event, organised by Ilkley Parish Council.

The event means The Grove will be closed from Riddings Road to Cunliffe Road from noon until 8pm.

People are asked to bring a picnic and some seating to enjoy the afternoon, while the City of Bradford Brass Band led by musical director Lee Skipsey will be performing.

The band will then be at Craiglands Hotel at 7.30pm for an evening concert and supper to mark the day, while a couple of local singers will also perform.

Tickets cost £5 and are still available from the Ilkley Tourist Centre, Station Road, or by calling (01943) 602319.

Troutbeck Nursing home will be decorated with bunting, paper chains, hats and flowers, with residents and staff enjoying a champagne toast and buffet lunch.

Residents and staff at Audley Clevedon retirement village, in Ben Rhydding Drive, Ilkley, are planning a day of festivities with a canape brunch at 10am followed by a champagne toast and afternoon barbeque.

The event open to everyone will see Charlotte Jones perform a number of nostalgic and patriotic songs. To reserve a place call (01943) 811606.

A group of knitting enthusiasts based at Create craft café, in Ilkley’s Victorian Arcade have made a woollen wedding scene to mark the event including all the royals in formal dress alongside corgi attendants.

The scene which includes a red carpet adorned with silver dots was inspired by Fiona Goble’s Knit Your Own Royal Wedding book and will be on display at Create before it is moved to Nora’s Interiors and Gifts.

The Otley Pub Club are to rename every pub in the town in honour of the bride’s Yorkshire lineage.

Each of the market town’s 17 inns will be rebranded ‘Yorkshire Princess’ for the day. Otley will also see Shirley and Cyril, two model sheep, share the couple’s day with their own nuptials at 2pm. The owner of Cock Pit Farm Tea Rooms, Sue Sansbury has taken the role of wedding planner for the event.