BIG crowds came out to cheer on a victorious Otley rugby team last weekend.

The Old Otliensians squad were treated to an open-top bus tour through town on Sunday, May 20 to celebrate a season of achievement.

The club won the RFU Junior Vase at Twickenham earlier this month and have also secured promotion from Yorkshire Division Three.

Supporters were out lining the streets to cheer the team on as they made their way from the Otliensians' Chaffers Field base, off Pool Road, to the Market Square.

The route took in Boroughgate, Crossgate, Bondgate, Kirkgate and Bridge Street and saw the players welcomed in the square by Town Mayor Councillor Mary Vickers and hundreds of fans.

Otley Town Council Chair Councillor Ray Georgeson (Lib Dem, Danefield) said: "A huge thank you from the town council to the people of Otley for turning out in great numbers to greet Otliensians as they toured town in the open-top bus.

"You did them proud and it was clear to see how much it meant to them.

"Many congratulations again to Ensians on their fine victory at Twickenham, you are local sporting history makers!"

Old Otliensians said afterwards, via their Facebook page: "From the bottom of our hearts thank you to all the wonderful people of Otley and elsewhere who lined the streets and filled the Market Square - the community spirit was so heartwarming to see.

"Thank you to everyone who made the day possible, we hope you all enjoyed yourselves!"

They paid special thanks to Otley Town Council for organising the parade, The Otley Tavern for hosting 'the best after-party we could have asked for', and the York Pullman Bus Company.

The Weston Lane Juniors U11 football team, meanwhile, also got to share a piece of the limelight.

The players won the Craven, Aire and Wharfe U11 Trophy Cup this season - and were invited onto the Otliensians' victory bus to have it presented to them by Cllr Vickers.

Kirsty Bryant, whose son Jai is the football team's captain, said: "We are very grateful to the Old Otliensians' cup-winning team, and to the Otley town councillors, for letting Weston Lane Juniors U11s share their moment of glory on the open-top bus.

"It was a very generous, community gesture to let the boys have a 'celebrity moment' and to share some of the cheers and good wishes of the Otley crowds."