A GROUP of residents has got together to help rejuvenate a community site.

Neighbours in the Parkwood Street area of Keighley are seeking to improve the local recreation ground and encourage more people to make use of it.

Friends Claire Denby and Georgina Whittingham have organised various activities at the location for children and families – including Easter egg hunts, Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations and a picnic.

Using a small grant from Keighley Big Local, the recreation ground hosts football coaching sessions for young children and a ladies' bootcamp.

And the duo has spearheaded clean-ups, and a community consultation – seeking people's views on how a further £15,000 of Keighley Big Local funding should be spent at the site.

Claire and Georgina, with the backing of several residents, have formed Parkwood Community Group.

It aims to work closely with Bradford Council to see the park area "reach its potential".

Alongside the council parks department and Keighley Big Local, the group will put together a plan of proposed improvements and activities.

Claire, who chairs the community group, says one of the driving forces behind the initiative is a desire to improve the area for younger children who have extra challenges.

She said: "A lot of us care for, or support neighbours with, children with special educational needs and we want to try to help create a space that is welcoming and stimulating for everyone ­– for those children and their family, friends and neighbours.

"We are really grateful for all the support we have received, particularly from Keighley East councillors and Keighley Town Council."

The group is hoping to host an annual family play day in September.

The event is set to return after being scuppered during the pandemic.

Shaun O'Hare, for Keighley Big Local, said: "After being cancelled for two years due to the pandemic, it's great to see the family play day returning to the neighbourhood – giving the group the opportunity to kick-off its campaign with a community celebration."

He added: "The residents value the green space of Parkwood recreation ground and want to encourage further improvements and see more people using it.

"Bradford Council, which has recently invested in the park as part of its playable spaces strategy, is supportive of the group."

Big Local is a National Lottery funded programme. Each Big Local area receives at least £1m in funding over ten years, for improving communities.