THE great-nephew of a prominent historian and author whose name has been given to an iconic £1.4m enterprise centre in the heart of Idle village was at a ceremony yesterday to see its foundation stone laid.

Bob Watson, who lives locally, was thrilled to see work under way on the Wright Watson Enterprise Centre, which is also the burial place of his relative.

Thackley councillor and Liberal Democrat leader Jeanette Sunderland did the honours, she is also chairman of Inspired Neighbourhoods Community Interest Company (INCIC) which is behind the development and will run it when it officially opens at the start of December.

The landmark site has also been home to Idle Wesleyan Chapel in the 1800s and thenThorpe Methodist Church until it closed in 2008.

Nasim Qureshi, who is INCIC chief executive, said everything was running to schedule with additional funding from the European Regional Development Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd and Bradford Council.

As well as start-up space for businesses and community and training facilities there will be a library and outside a play area and a commemorative garden remembering locals who gave their lives in the wars.