People with learning difficulties will be getting the Champagne treatment after hotel bosses stepped in to save their Christmas party.

More than 30 members of the cash-strapped Mencap and Gateway Friday Club, which meets at Keighley Resource Centre every other week, were facing the prospect of cancelling their annual festive party.

But the "delighted" members will be donning ball gowns and tuxedos after staff at the Marriott Hollins Hall Hotel & Country Club in Baildon saved the day by offering their services.

Club leader Chris Ward had approached the hotel's general manager, Ken Millar, who offered the group a drastically reduced price of £250.

Mr Ward said the clients, who range in age from 17 to 50, were really looking forward to the bash.

He said: "This has given them the opportunity to have a party that we probably wouldn't have been able to afford.

"The hotel's decorations alone would take up most of my budget!

"It is a lifeline to us because it means the club can continue. The most amount of money we spend is on buses and the funds we do have have been dwindling, so Ken is saving us money that will pay for buses for another six months. It gives us six months' extra to run."

Mr Ward was at the hotel six months ago inquiring about jobs for members of the group when Mr Millar offered the hotel for their Christmas party.

It is the second time in as many years that kind-hearted staff at the hotel have helped out.

Last year, the plush hotel provided the venue, food and DJ - and a night for their guests to remember.

Mr Ward said: "He threw us an absolutely wonderful party. The DJ was fantastic and the more we ate the more food they brought out. The staff were dancing with the clients by the end of the night."