A countryside museum which a town council is working to save from closure has been officially recognised as having significant community worth.

Councillors met this week and approved an application to make the Bracken Hall Countryside Centre, in Baildon, an asset of community value under the Localism Act.

When property or land is granted the status, it means groups have the first opportunity to bid for them should they be put up for sale. It also means Bradford Council must be told of any sale plans.

Shipley Area Committee chairman Councillor David Heseletine said Bracken Hall had been approved because the application from Baildon Town Council showed the building met all of the conditions, such as having been used for the interest and well-being of the local community.