Silsden Town Council is spearheading a campaign to build a £600,000-plus community hall in the town park.

The two-storey premises would replace three run-down buildings that are currently used by football, rugby and bowls players teams.

It could also provide a meeting space for organisations including the town’s history group and theatre group Silsden Community Productions.

Town mayor Chris Atkinson has commissioned an architect to draw up an initial design, which will be revealed at a council meeting.

The proposed building would have two function rooms, one big enough to host five-a-side football, as well as toilets and changing rooms.

Fellow town councillor Adrian Naylor will lead attempts to secure funding from a range of bodies.

Coun Atkinson said he was responding to requests from several local groups, and a management committee would be set up for the hall.

The cost of the building has been estimated at about £600,000, with extra costs to fit it out.