CEREMONIES were held in Keighley today to commemorate people who have died in the workplace.

Councillors, unionists and pupils from the town's Holy Family School were among those who gathered in Cliffe Castle Park.

And then shortly afterwards the focus switched to Town Hall Square, where about 20 people – including Keighley's mayor, Councillor Javaid Akhtar – gathered for a service of thanksgiving and dedication.

The events were organised by Keighley Trades Council and the town council to mark International Workers' Memorial Day.

Among those present was Keighley woman Judith Allen, whose son Steven – a construction worker – died while working on a Bradford building site.

The former Holy Family pupil was 23.

"It will be the tenth anniversary of his death next year but things don't get any easier," she said.

"I never knew about the international memorial day until after we'd lost Steven but I believe it is important we think about this and continue to raise awareness of the issues.

"People who go to work should expect to come home.

"Things are still just as difficult now without Steven and despite the years it's hard to talk about what happened."

The service – which included a silent tribute – was led by the town chaplain, the Rev Dr Jonathan Pritchard.

He said: "This is an important issue – any of us could be affected, and many already are.

"Incidents such as Steven's death are appalling – a young man killed at work because of criminal safety failings – and his case brings home to the town the tragedy of the situation."

Dr Pritchard also urged people to be careful about what products they buy from overseas.

"Some companies in this country have outsourced the dangerous stuff to other countries and other workers," he added.

"When you buy something, whether it be food or clothing, ask what you know about the country of origin and its working conditions."

Dave Towers, of Keighley Trades Council, said the theme of this year's event was Strong Regulation, Strong Enforcement.

And he highlighted the case of a 16-year-old boy, Cameron Minshull, who was killed at work whilst on a modern apprenticeship.

"Unusually the training provider was prosecuted and fined for failing to carry out a risk assessment on the employer's premises," he said.

"It is an absolute travesty that deregulation has allowed our children to be employed in conditions that are potentially worse than those we were allowed to work in.

"In Britain today health and safety is demonised as a burden on employment rather the right of employees to be protected from harm whilst earning a living."