A joint award granted by Yorkshire Water and the Telegraph & Argus has boosted an Aire Valley children's group.

Cullingworth Pre-School has scooped £500 as part of the Yorkshire Water Water Works Awards Scheme.

The money will be spent on folding tables to provide a snack-time and reading space for the children.

Pre-School manager Janet Toner said the money would make a huge difference to the group.

"It's fantastic news, I cannot express how thrilled we will be to have some new tables," she said.

Mrs Toner said the pre-school, a registered charity, could not afford to buy the tables with their own money - which is mainly raised through events and fees.

"These folding down tables are very expensive. They have got to be child height, they have got to be wipe down and safe. They don't come cheap," she said.

The pre-school, held in Cullingworth Village Hall, on Station Road, needs to be able to set up in the morning and put away at night, as the space is used for other events throughout the week.

"We have tables where they can do some activities, but they need to be cleared for snack time. This will mean we can have more language, literacy and mathematical table-top activities," said Mrs Toner.

The pre-school provides facilities for 48 youngsters, and Mrs Toner said she expects the number to grow over the winter months.

"We have up to 26 children per session and we expect the overall numbers to climb into the 50s during the winter months," she said.

School fundraiser Julie Wood said: "If there is any money left after the tables we are in need of a new sand table ."

The Water Works Award scheme presents £500 to a project each month to reward community schemes and to thank residents for their patience during a £100 million development to improve Bradford's sewerage and water system.

Entries are now being invited for the October award.

To apply for an award write an explanatory letter about the project, what the money would be spent on and how it would benefit the local community to The Water Works Awards, c/o Peter Orme, managing editor, Telegraph & Argus, Hall Ings, Bradford, BD1 1JR.