Cash raised at a charity concert in Keighley is being creamed off by the local authority.

A chunk of the £2,255 coined in for Diabetes UK at Saturday's Victoria Hall event will go into Bradford Council coffers.

Bands Soulfish and The Big Bang performed for free and the Musicians Centre in Keighley provided sponsorship.

But event organisers have been landed with a £219 bill for the hire of the hall -- for the same concert last year the cost was £80.

And John Dunn -- of Diabetes Keighley, which staged the event in aid of the national charity -- says the council is also taking bar profits and a five per cent commission from each ticket sold via Keighley Information Centre.

He told us: "At the same event last year we were granted a hire-charge discount linked to bar takings, but this year the policy has changed.

"I am aware that the charge is much less than the normal commercial rate -- but we are not in this as a business.

"Our aim is to raise as much money as we can towards a cure for diabetes in the shortest time possible.

"Everything we collect is passed to Diabetes UK, with none of the fundraising team taking anything -- not even legitimate expenses --

from the money that is raised.

"We feel strongly that Bradford Council is profiteering at the expense of a charity -- and it leaves a sour taste.

"For the sake of the 4,000 registered diabetics in Airedale desperate for a cure, in an area that sees the incidence of diabetes running at around twice the national average, the council should change its policy forthwith."

Meanwhile, Mr Dunn thanked the local public for its "wonderful" support of the concert -- which drew a crowd of more than 300 people.

He also paid tribute to the bands and Musicians Centre -- as well as thanking staff at Victoria Hall for their help.

Steve Warner, head of Bradford Council's sport and leisure service, denies that it profits at the expense of charities.

He said: "Our charges to charitable and non profit making organisations are, and always have been, heavily subsidised to ensure that Victoria Hall and other community venues across the district are affordable.

"We charge our lowest rate for charitable events and this was confirmed with Mr Dunn in April this year so we are surprised he is raising the issue now.

"Last year's Diabetes UK event fell during a promotional period so they did benefit from an additional concession."