Save our centre - that's the message being conveyed across Wyke today after the official launch of a campaign to save a community centre.

John Fryett, head teacher of Wyke Manor School, last night told a packed meeting that the centre in Mayfield Avenue would close in March unless £12,000 was found.

Staff at the centre have launched a petition and are hoping that the village will rally behind them.

The centre was refused an annual community grant award from Bradford Council last year after failing to meet the criteria.

The action comes just hours before a secret meeting between councillors and officers to discuss whether any extra money can be given to the centre. No-one close to the Wyke Manor Community Centre was asked to attend the behind-closed-doors meeting, said Mr Fryett and centre manager Pat Sherry.

The head teacher, who works closely with the centre, attacked the procedure which uses a points system to help groups qualify for funding.

Mr Fryett said the system needed to be reviewed as there were local organisations which, despite not meeting the Council's criteria, still received funding.

He said: "I am not criticising these individual groups. But I believe we should be told why we did not receive any money."

The 150 supporters who attended the meeting heard how the centre had catered for the young and the elderly for the past 15 years.

The centre provides a lifeline for the elderly with day care services, a nursery, youth services and out-of-school activities.

These along with future plans to develop continuing education courses and a £1.7 million social and sporting complex would be scrapped.

The centre receives funding from the education authority and social services. But funding will cease if the centre does not find another £12,000 to guarantee its survival for another year, Mr Fryett added.

Former Wyke Ward councillor Benny Howell said the centre was vital as it was at the heart of the community.

Anyone who wants to help Save the Centre should call (01274) 414386.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.