A £1 million lottery bid to transform Keighley's Central Hall could pass its next hurdle next month.

Lottery chiefs will decide whether to put the community centre plan on a shortlist for funding.

They would then ask for more details before a final decision is made whether to give the cash.

The former church in Alice Street could become a town centre base for local voluntary and community groups.

Planned facilities include meeting rooms, a large function room, office space and a focus for elderly people's activities.

Keighley Voluntary Services is co-ordinating efforts to develop the hall.

Central Hall for many years provided a venue for youth clubs and a wide range of community groups.

The Bradford Council building had to close in 2003 due to flood damage.

Since then local voluntary groups have been working to refurbish the building.

An initial bid to the Big Lottery last year failed but the plan fitted the criteria for the lottery's new Community Assets fund.

If the latest bid is successful, the building will be made "fit for purpose" then handed to a new volunteer management committee.

Caroline Schwaller, chief executive of Keighley Voluntary Services, expected the shortlisting decision to come in February.

She said even if the £1 million was awarded, further funding would be needed before the planned activities could go ahead.