Haworth Cat Rescue has won Airedale Shopping Centre’s charity of the year contest, run in association with the Keighley News.

Readers were asked to nominate finalists for the competition, in which the winner gains a year’s worth of fundraising support from the shopping centre’s staff.

People voted for their favourite finalist via phone or text. Other finalists were Sue Ryder Manor-lands, Age UK Bradford and District and the Dignity Room at Airedale Hospital.

And the team at Haworth Cat Rescue, based at Lower Pierce Close in Cross Roads, was delighted to win the readers’ poll.

Community fundraising manager, Paula Godfree, said: “It’s amazing – we’re absolutely over the moon. This really means a lot to us.”

As well as needing money to cover day-to-day running costs, the group has an ongoing appeal to fund the development of a dedicated cat re-homing centre.

Ms Godfree added: “I’m putting together a project proposal for the new centre, but in the short term we’re looking to replace our cat pens because they’re wooden and they’re rotting in places. We’re looking to install UPVC pens, but it’s going to cost about £64,000.

“Our waiting list has reached 1,000, which is a vast amount of animals needing our help.”

Airedale Shopping Centre manager, Steve Seymour, said: “We’re pleased to be supporting Haworth Cat Rescue.

“I’m confident that having selected Haworth Cat Rescue, the Keighley public will now get behind and generously support them in any events they run at the centre during the next 12 months.”

Keighley News editor, Richard Parker, said: “Congratulations to Haworth Cat Rescue – a very worthy winner indeed.”

Haworth Cat Rescue is holding a Valentine’s ball at 7.30pm on February 15.

The black tie event will feature a drinks reception, three-course meal, disco, live music, a belly dancing performance and a magic act.

There will also be a raffle and auction, as well as an appearance by a mystery television celebrity. Keighley mayor Councillor George Metcalf will be in attendance.

Organiser Paula Godfree said auction items include restaurant vouchers, family steam railway tickets and a day of water skiing.

The venue for the occasion is the Hilton Hotel in Bradford. Tickets are £45, or £400 for a table of ten, and are available at Haworth Cat Rescue’s new charity shop in Cavendish Street, Keighley, or via its haworthcatrescue.org website.