A former weaving shed in a Bradford mill complex is to be transformed into an Asian wedding hall.

The dilapidated building at Shearbridge Mills, Great Horton Road, has been redundant for years.

But now Bradford planners have given the go-ahead for it to be transformed into a venue for wedding celebrations.

Today Mohammed Farooq, who is manager of Master Jewellers in Horton Grange Road, said he was delighted the scheme had been given approval.

"I realised there was demand out there for facilities for wedding receptions and people were coming into the shop and asking if we could recommend places," he said. "We thought we might as well do it ourselves. It will allow us to provide a full service to those customers who come in for wedding jewellery."

Bradford Area Planning Panel was told by officers that the shed was doing nothing for the area in its present state, but once improved it would be a boost to Great Horton.

Despite a petition signed by 26 residents, councillors passed the plans on condition noise is controlled by sound-proofing measures and set hours, a satisfactory waste collection system is organised, the hall has emergency exit doors and the developers ensure safe access and exit to the 39-space car park.

Councillor Choudhary Rangzeb (Universit, Lab) said the hall would cater for smaller-than-usual Asian weddings with around 250 guests.

"This is an old, redundant weaving shed which has been sitting idle for years and there was no prospect of it being restored again," he said. "The building is a real eye sore at the moment and this project should bring it back to life."

Mr Farooq said work had already started on restoring the hall, which would also be made available for community use, including meetings and funerals.

"We have already filled five or six skips full of rubbish from the site, which was infested with rats," he said. "It is looking much better already."

It is hoped to create a number of new jobs as a result of the project.

"I am very, very pleased that this building is to be brought back into use," said Mr Farooq.

"It will bring in families from all over the UK for these events and that will have a knock-on effect for local businesses."