The cold weather may have returned but the heat is on at Keighley Table Tennis Centre thanks to a £15,000 grant.

The English Table Tennis Association (ETTA) have donated the sum to upgrade the venue and install much-needed central heating.

Players enjoyed competing in the old mill – now known as Keighley Business Centre in South Street – during the summer as the premises stay cool inside when temperatures are soaring.

But last winter’s severe cold left Keighley and District League team members frozen, with players having to wear woolly hats, scarves and fingerless gloves to matches.

The large playing space – with room for a dozen games to be played simultaneously – makes it an ideal match venue but difficult to keep warm with bar heaters.

However, a joint funding application from Keighley Table Tennis Centre and Haworth Hawks Table Tennis Club was successful. The ETTA have provided £15,000 towards the installation of central heating, showers (one for disabled use) and new toilets.

Local plumber Mark Rycroft, who plays for Haworth Hawks along with his son Tom, has installed the heating.

He said: “I was happy to support the table tennis centre. It has brought an excellent and much-needed facility to Keighley and only exists due to the hard work of volunteers.”

Officially opened in 2009 by then sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe, it was already well equipped, with tables separated by nets and a lounge and bar facility.

But organisers are hoping this latest work, completed last week, will increase membership and make it a potential venue for much larger tournaments.

Members at the centre range from the age of five to over 80.

A new weekly session for over-50s begins on Monday, February 6 (12.30-2.30pm) every week, costing £3.

The club is also keen to hire out its large group room.

For more details, contact Andy Bray on 07766-428307.