Part of a Bradford church is set to be transformed into a community centre in a £750,000 scheme to improve facilities for residents.

People living on the Faxfleet estate in Bankfoot are backing the campaign to build the new resource at St Matthew's Church.

It would be the first facility of its kind in the community which currently has no play area, information centre or resources for elderly residents.

Campaigners have already canvassed the views of about 600 householders in a door-to-door survey aimed at discovering what residents want from the new centre.

And the project, which was started by former St Matthew's vicar John Turner, is now being led by his recently installed successor, the Reverend Alice Snowden, pi ctured with David Gibson and Rosalyn Newman.

Today she said the facility would create a new focal point for a community which has been geographically split by the guided bus lane in Manchester Road.

"We have been aware for some time that there is very little for people to do in Bankfoot and there is no open area or play space for young people," she said. "The community includes a very committed group of people. It has been fantastic to get involved with something like this so soon after joining the church. The group of volunteers have never allowed the momentum to die."

And she dismissed fears the development would mean the end of the traditional church.

"It will continue to be a worship space but all the other facilities are for people regardless of whether they come to church or not. It is certainly not our aim to sneak people in to the church who just want to use the new facilities, which will be managed by a users forum."

The scheme is expected to cost around £750,000 and will see the creation of a second floor in the church, with meeting rooms, a large hall, caf area, and kitchen. A small extension would also be built.

The Rev Snowden said she hoped the group could raise the cash through church funds, grants, fundraising and the sale of the existing church hall site.

"I understand that we are not the poorest part of Bradford but we still need these facilities," she said.

The project is being backed by the Faxfleet Residents Association.

Secretary Ros Newman said: "There is nothing on this estate for anybody, and this is definitely the best option we have. There is nowhere to put a play area or a youth centre so we are very grateful to the church.

"We do get a lot of problems on this estate and hopefully this will help to stop some of those by creating a really rich resource. By surveying all the residents we are ensuring that this centre will have what everyone wants and not just our group."

Anyone living in the area who has not received a copy of the questionnaire should contact the Rev Snowden on (01274) 726529.