A FORMER town-centre post office is set to become a bookies.

Betfred is seeking to move into the site in Towngate, opposite the bus station in Keighley.

Six jobs, a mixture of full and part-time, would be created.

But the scheme has met with a mixed reaction from councillors and community leaders.

Town mayor Councillor Javaid Akhtar says the proposal has positives, but he questions whether another bookies is needed.

"Naturally I welcome investment in Keighley and the creation of jobs – and no one wants to see a prime unit in the town centre stood empty – but I do have reservations," he said.

"You have to ask whether we don't already have enough betting shops in the town."

The prime plot has been empty since the post office facility was controversially moved to the WH Smith store, within the Airedale Shopping Centre, in April last year.

Campaigners had unsuccessfully fought to keep the provision where it was.

Warrington-based Betfred said it was seeking to invest £150,000 in a state-of-the-art shop at the site.

The firm has submitted a planning application to Bradford Council to replace existing windows with aluminium-framed units, move the entrance door and install signage.

A company spokesman said: "If we get planning permission, it will bring a currently derelict unit back into use.

"We have identified a demand for our operation in the area."

If the go-ahead is received, the firm hopes to open at the site within about six months.

The unit, although not within the covered mall, is part of the Airedale Shopping Centre.

Centre manager, Steve Seymour, said he was unable to comment.