Local youngsters have enjoyed some slam-dunking fun with the National Basketball Camp at the Keighley Leisure Centre recently.

The camps were run by top-class coaches from the English Basketball League and children from 8 to 19 years of age are given the chance to brush up on their basketball skills.

"It's a good way into basketball for the younger ones and a nice progression for the older kids", explained Chris Mellor, 30, a professional basketball coach. "The feed-back so far has been extremely positive. Lots of enthusiasm and lots and lots of hard work!"

"There are four coaches and around 24 children so there's a good one-on-one tutoring ratio", adds ex-camper Ben Kirk, 21, who is now a coach."The best thing is that it's been co-ordinated so that the kids get the chance to try for national competitions."

"I've loved it", said Adam Priestly, 16, who had been attending the camp for two years, "It's lots of fun and a great chance to make new friends, but also an opportunity to improve your skills."

n Twelver-year-old Philip Bolton from Silsden is pictured with coach Ben Kirk.