A KEIGHLEY company has spoken of its delight after securing two major contracts together worth a whopping £24.3 million.

Construction firm RN Wooler has been chosen to carry out the prestigious transformation of Bradford's former Odeon cinema into a live events venue, which will see five apprentices plus up to 60 temporary workers taken on for the work.

And the Lawkholme Lane business has been awarded the contract to develop a new coroner's court complex serving the whole of Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees.

Gareth Wooler, a director of the family company, said it was "a privilege" to be granted both projects.

"These are big schemes which will keep our directly-employed workforce of 250 busy for the next six months in the case of the coroner's court contract and 18 months for the Odeon-Bradford Live project. For that we will also be creating the five apprenticeships and temporary roles.

"The opportunity to create employment and further strengthen our ties to the community is a fantastic achievement and is testament to the hard work and continuing efforts of colleagues."

Gareth and his brother Andrew are both directors of the firm, which was founded in 1985 by their father Norman – who still works full-time as managing director.

The company was chosen for the Bradford Live project after an extensive procurement process.

RN Wooler will work closely with Leeds College of Building and Bradford College to offer the apprenticeships, to 16-to-18-year-old students.

There will also be a strong focus on using suppliers and sub-contractors from the Bradford district and Leeds City Region.

Work on the the project is due to begin later this spring.

Bradford Live managing director, Lee Craven, said: "These are exciting times for the project and we are proud to have RN Wooler as part of the team.

"We want Bradford Live to become part of the community and help drive the district's economy. It will be a fantastic venue, delivering 270,000 visitors a year to the city."

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw – Bradford Council's portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport – also welcomed the appointment of Wooler's.

"We are very pleased that this highly-skilled local company has been awarded what is an important contract," he said.

The new coroner's court and offices are being created as part of a redevelopment of Cater Buildings in the Little Germany area of Bradford.

The complex will replace the existing, outdated facilities within Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court.