DENHOLME councillors have discussed ways to keep open the village’s threatened Mechanics Institute.

Town councillors put forward suggestions after learning of Bradford Council’s proposals to close many public buildings or transfer them to the community.

Three local people went along to a recent town council meeting to express the concerns about what would happen to the much-used building.

During the discussion, councillors said the Mechanics was an essential community building in the village and Bradford Council needed to understand that.

They said there might be two years in which to look at what could be done, to push up bookings, and to talk to district councillors.

Councillors asked who would own the building if an asset transfer was carried out, and what would happen to the successful community-run library currently in the Mechanics.

Town council members heard there was a strong possibility that other Bradford assets would be transferred to the community, such as bowling greens, parks, park maintenance and snickets.