A COMMUNITY group is celebrating success after being given £15,000 to improve a much used footpath in Keighley.

The team, working through Keighley West Environmental Partnership (KWEP), has announced it now has the money to enhance the Cat Steps - a footpath between North Dean Road, Braithwaite and Fell Lane which is used particularly heavily by Oakbank School pupils.

The money has been granted to Cat Steps: Taking A Step with the Armed Forces in Keighley by the Community Covenant Grant Scheme, which funds local projects that bring together the civilian and armed forces communities.

Keighley West councillor Jan Smithies, who helped put together funding bids, said: "We've applied to three different funders and put in five bids in total, so I am absolutely delighted that this bid has at last been successful.

"The awarding of the funds has come at a good time for the clearing and planting work, as we need to do that in winter whilst things are dormant. But unfortunately the work on the path itself needs reasonable weather, so we need residents and especially the school users to bear with it for one more winter."

Keighley West community development worker Pip Gibson will speak to the different organisations and individuals who have backed the project to update them and get them involved in the work.

"This will include clearing the overgrown shrubbery at the sides of the path and planting up to 400 new tree whips at various intervals and around the play ground area," she said.

"There will be lots of opportunity for residents at both ends of the path and local school children to get involved. We also plan to work closely with ex armed forces personnel and cadets."

Darren Hinchliffe, a Bradford Council public rights of way officer, will take charge of the repairs to the steps as well as drainage matters.

He said: "Council funds for improving footpaths such as these are very tight, so I'm pleased that this funding will enable us to upgrade and improve the path."

Local resident and KWEP member Barry Eccles added: "Our first bid, which we very nearly got, was for £150,000 to improve paths all along and across North Beck.

"We've gradually had to trim down our ambitions but after so much hard work by the team members, who have stuck at this for well over two years, we will finally be able to get started on tangible improvements.

Anyone who wants to help, can call Pip Gibson on 075872 10101.