PLAYGROUNDS, environmental projects and children’s activities are among plans for Keighley’s £1 million Big Local scheme.

Opportunities for learning and training are also included in the action plan drawn up by residents across the Keighley Valley area.

The 17 volunteers spent several months preparing the 10-year plan and submitted it to national Big Local bosses on January 20.

They expect to hear within five weeks whether they have secured a £1 million grant offered to Keighley by the Local Trust.

News of the action plan submission came as the Keighley Big Local group itself awarded a £300 grant for young people’s self-defence classes in Hainworth Wood.

The Keighley group is made up of residents from across the Keighley Valley corridor, which includes Stockbridge, Strong Close, Thwaites, Worth Village, Parkwood, Woodhouse, Spring Bank and Wesley Place, as well as parts of Riddlesden and Ingrow.

Big Local was launched in 2012 with the intention of spending £1 million of lottery cash on community projects.

Following dozens of small-scale events along the valley the working group was formed last year to devise a 10-year regeneration programme.

A Twitter account is now running at @keighleyBIG.

One of the volunteers, Fiona Thompson, from Riverside, Dalton Lane, said: “We will be tweeting headlines that residents will hopefully find interesting and provide an opportunity for everyone to discover Big Local news as it’s happening.”

“We are pleased to announce that Jordan Stebbings, our website volunteer, has launched a new website at keighleybiglocal.org.uk. Providing residents with details of Big Local activity, photographs and useful information.”

Keighley Big Local group has awarded £300 to the Hainworth Wood Community Centre for self-defence and keep fit sessions for young people aged 11 and above.

Sessions will be held in the Woodhouse Road building on Tuesdays from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.

Hollie Rowley, of Inside & Out, said her Street Safe self-defence club aimed to keep young girls safe and educate them on how to defend themselves should anything unfortunate happen.

She said: “It's a great session to build pupils' confidence, self-esteem and self-awareness. All my clubs are a blend of self-defence, health and wellbeing and fitness.”

Big Local coordinator Shaun O’Hare said: “Hollie is doing a great job of creating a positive, exciting and safe environment within Hainworth Wood Community Centre where young people can get together to build self esteem, improve social skills and confidence.”

Call Sonia Evers 01535 602932 for further information about the classes.