Wendy Benson

Keighley groups are celebrating a bumper Easter lottery jackpot.

Several organisations together have been awarded more than £150,000 in National Lottery grants.

The biggest single windfall -- £137,127 -- has gone to Keighley Community Nursery.

The payout, from the new Community Fund, will assure the nursery's future for the next three years.

And the grant -- towards running costs, salaries, training, rent and refurbishment -- will be boosted by cash raised through fees paid by parents who use the Marlborough Street nursery.

The nursery was set up four years ago , with cash from Keighley Single Regeneration Budget, to offer subsidised places to low-income families.

SRB funding was designed to reduce each year as the nursery became more self-sufficient, and finally runs out at Christmas.

The lottery grant removes a major financial worry for the nursery and enables it to continue offering subsidised places to working parents.

"It's business as usual, if not better," said deputy manager Rebecca Goody. "We are safe for at least the next three years."

Other groups to receive cash -- from the National Lottery Awards for All programme -- include Keighley Pride which aims to bring free music, vitality, arts and culture into the town centre for the whole community.

Its £5,000 award will be used to fund two free days of international music in Keighley town centre, on August 4 and 11.

Wendy Benson, of Keighley Town Centre Management (TCM), said: "The grant will support performances from professional musicians and help increase the skill and creativity of local musical groups by offering them an opportunity.

"As well as international flavours, such as African music and dance, steel bands and jazz bands, TCM -- which is organising the event -- wants local groups and bands to be involved."

Anyone interested in taking part should contact the TCM on 01535 618003.

Keighley Sea Cadet Corps is to get £2,962 to purchase training aids and materials to assist with the cadets' development.

Unit chairman Gladys Briggs said: "We are thrilled to bits. We have had one previous award, this should be very, very useful.

"We will be spending it on teaching aids such as overhead projectors, videos and flip charts."

Worth Valley Primary School is to receive £4,737 to provide an out of hours computer club.

The award will fund a digital artist to work with adults and children in digital photography, animation and other IT skills.

Oakworth Juniors Football Club -- which has members aged from five upwards -- will receive £1,839 to purchase additional equipment to allow more young people to join. There will also be coaching courses for adults.

Keighley and District Table Tennis Association will use its award of £4,850 to purchase new equipment and enhance coaching.

The Flag Crackers of Craven -- which promotes the tradition of English Border Morris dancing -- will use its award of £3,690 to organise a weekend festival of traditional English dance.