Reclaim the Night events to be held across region

The programme follows a successful Reclaim the Night event in Huddersfield last October

A series of public events to promote safety for women and girls will be held across West Yorkshire later.

The events, collectively branded 'Reclaim the Night', will take place in Leeds, Wakefield, Bradford, Huddersfield and Halifax over the course of the afternoon and evening.

The programme has been timed to coincide with the end of British Summer Time (BST) and the clocks going back, in recognition of women reporting feeling more unsafe as the nights get darker.

Organisers said the idea was about "standing together and saying we've had enough of fear and silence".

It follows the success of a Reclaim the Night event held in Greathead Park in Huddersfield 12 months ago, which was attended by more than 200 people.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds earlier this month, West Yorkshire's deputy mayor for policing and crime, Alison Lowe, said: "We really want people to come together to demand safety for all of us, but particularly women and girls who feel unsafe and vulnerable."

Deputy mayor Alison Lowe said the events were about "demanding safety" for women and girls

"We're going to take these spaces back," she said.

"We're going to have a great time, we're going to have a laugh and maybe share a tear or two, because it's not OK that we're frightened to be out and about at night and sometimes during the day too.

"We know there's many men out there who are our allies. Please come with us, stand with us, help us to feel safe."

The concept of Reclaim The Night has its origins in Leeds, in 1977, at a time when serial killer Peter Sutcliffe was at large.

Women marched in defiance of police advice to remain home after dark until Sutcliffe - also known as the Yorkshire Ripper - was caught and insisted they should not be forced to change their behaviour as innocent people.

What is happening where?

Bradford: The event will start at the Carlton Prayer Room at Bradford University at 16:00 GMT, followed by a walk to Centenary Square for speeches and poetry. The event will then return to the university and conclude with a performance from street theatre company Soundproofbox

Halifax: People are invited to meet at the cafe in Shibden Park at 15:00 for coffee and cake, before the walk begins at 16:30.

Huddersfield: There will be family-friendly activities and stalls with support services and information between 14:00 and 17:00 at Greenhead Park. A walk around the park will begin at 15:45.

Leeds: A series of speeches will take place outside Leeds Art Gallery from 17:30, before a walk through the city centre, starting at 18:00.

Wakefield: Held at Wakefield Exchange, the event will start with a banner making workshop at noon before a vigil at 17:00.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.