0CRIME fighters have multi-thousand pound pot of cash which could go to help the area's sporting clubs -- if they join the battle to cut crime across the district.

Keighley's crime reduction committee has £60,000 to hand out in grants over the next 15 months, and they are looking for projects which involve young people.

"We will consider anything which gets young people off the streets and into a useful activity," said community safety co-ordinator, Chris Slaven.

Among the latest to benefit is the Keighley Asian Sports Association, which has been awarded a grant of £1,400 towards the cost of renting sports facilities at Greenhead School for winter sports sessions. They have also been given a further £500 towards equipment and will provide a similar sum from their own funds.

"They have been running a successful cricket coaching programme in the summer months for a number of years, but discovered that there was also a demand for other sports during the winter months," Mr Slaven said.

The scheme starts at Greenhead School on Sunday from 12.30 to 4.30pm.

"It is open to any young people regardless of colour, religion or nationality," said KASA spokesman Shahid Mahmood.

The afternoon of events will include Badminton, table tennis, football and cricket using the school's gymnasium and an upstairs activity room.

"Everyone know there are a lot of problems in Keighley at the moment and we want to give young people an alternative to hanging about on street corners and getting mixed up in crime and drugs," Mr Mahmood said.

There will be coaching sessions for Under-14s with competitions for older teenagers taking part.

"Initially we want people to turn up an enjoy the whole afternoon and as the trial continues we will be drawing up a structured programme of activities. We are hoping for a huge response from the young people of Keighley."

The group is also planning to organise an indoor cricket competition as part of the three month trial.

Anyone interested in taking part should turn up on sunday, or contact Shahid Mahmood on 07966-392938 or Naheem Malik on 07970-552412.

n The crime reduction committee also wants to hear from other groups with projects which are targeted at young people.

Anyone with ideas for projects, or who wants crime-fighting advice can contact Mr Slaven on 01535-618019.