A community centre offering training and education services to Muslims living in Bradford's most deprived district is to expand after receiving a £109,000 windfall.

The English Partnerships grant means work can now start on a project to build two extra classrooms, a youth club, crche and caf at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association base in Leeds Road.

The organisation moved into the former public baths in 1980 and quickly transformed the derelict shell into a training centre for the local community.

When work to convert the basement and entrance to the building is complete at the end of October, the association will be able to offer five new training courses and provide childcare facilities for around 500 youngsters a year.

The association's president Bary Malik said the English Partnerships grant was an important boost for the whole community.

He said: "According to a recent report by Bradford Council, our centre is right in the middle of the city's most deprived area.

"This new project is something positive for the area. By increasing training opportunities available to members of the Muslim community, especially women, we should be able to make a real difference."

The association, which provides services for about 15,000 people each year, was set up in the 1950s. The move to Leeds Road brought with it a £25,000 City Challenge grant to convert the old swimming pool into an indoor sports hall.

Mr Malik said: "The association has come a long way since the early days, when we had to hold meetings in people's houses. English Partnerships must be equally impressed with our work so far because it doesn't hand this kind of money out unless it believes in a scheme."

Commenting on the project, English Partnerships' senior development officer John Haynes said: "Without a facility like this, many people could miss out on training and education opportunities. It is hoped in particular that the new childcare facilities will enable Asian women to take up courses at the centre."

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