Shipley Pool has been formally recognised as a world-class centre of diving excellence.

The venue has received a special plaque from the Amateur Swimming Association in recognition of its contribution to world-class junior diving training and talent scouting for diving champions.

This was supported by an £8,000 Awards for All Lottery grant.

The next step along the way is for Shipley Pool to try to become only the country's third world-class diving centre, after Plymouth and Sheffield.

Hopefully this status, again awarded by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), will be achieved by September.

Under the leadership of diving coach Julian Bellan the pool currently has three levels of diving training: 'Start' for youngsters with the ability to make international teams; 'Potential' for junior athletic divers and 'Performance' for Olympic competitors.

So far two youngsters - 12-year-old Emma Birchall and ten-year-old David Cowen - are on the Start programme. They were among the Shipley team that won an impressive nine gold medals at the prestigious Armada Cup in Plymouth two weeks ago.

A delighted Bellan said: "This funding will enable us to develop talent for the future.

"We have the eye and the expertise here to take these kids through to international teams."

Bradford councillor Anne Hawkesworth, executive member for the environment (which includes sport and leisure), said: "This is an excellent achievement for Shipley and the whole district. And if our bid for world-class status is successful it will put the pool's coaches on the map as Olympic experts."