BOWMEN of the Aire Valley Archers have been given a £75,000 lottery grant to build a new clubhouse at their outdoor range.

The archery club, which shoots outside at the St Ives Estate in Bingley and indoors in Keighley, has won funding from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund to carry out the vital replacement of its decrepit old building.

The money will be also be used to buy quality bows and arrows to hire out to new archers who may find the cost of equipment too high, said club chairman Adam Roe.

"We're elated. The old clubhouse is falling to bits and now we will have a contemporary-design building," Mr Roe said.

"Our club has been located behind Coppice Pond at St Ives, Bingley, since 1972 and the National Lottery funds will be used to replace the clubhouse with a purpose built wooden building, which will have wheelchair access and provide members with a useful space to meet at all times of the year.

"It will also have a workshop for equipment repairs, secure storage for club equipment, a meeting space for coaching and hygienic facilities for preparing refreshments."

Mr Roe said the sport was growing in popularity and the club had 130 members and ran beginners courses for more than 80 people every summer.

"Part of the funds will also be used to set up a bow loan scheme.

"Archery equipment can be expensive - £100 for a beginner's bow to thousands of pounds.

"So this fantastic project will allow new club members to rent a bow, arrows and accessories until they are able to buy their own kit. This will be particularly useful for families who want to take part in the sport together," he said.

"As well as the National Lottery funding, the club is using money raised by members over the years to install a state of the art composting loo.

"This will be fully accessible to all members and the technology used means that there will be no waste to be disposed of."

Bingley councillor David Heseltine (Con) said it was good to see Lottery money being used wisely.

He said: "It's great that a local club is being supported to expand and improve thanks to the National Lottery and will be a benefit to all those interested in archery or taking up the sport."

The club hopes to have the building completed by July, subject to planning permission.