A pioneering £3 million scheme to build an education centre and Saxon village at a special therapeutic farm aims to boost the economy of Heckmondwike.

Ambitious expansion plans hope to transform Ponderosa Rural Therapeutic Centre into one of Britain's top visitor destinations, drawing nearly half a million visitors to the town annually and revolutionising the economy.

Owner Howard Cook said the rare breeds farm already allows people with learning difficulties to care for rare animals, including monkeys, llamas and racoons, which in turn contributes to personal development.

Ponderosa Park would now build on this by promoting hands-on learning in a new education centre and Saxon village, made of primitive buildings and communal areas.

In line with new national curriculum requirements, pupils will be able to research the history of the Saxon period by experiencing life at the time and learn about farming through the ages.

Building bridges between disabled and able bodied people has been the bedrock of the centre, for which Mr Cook was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List last week.

The construction process also aims to involve disabled people. Woodland areas have also been bought to offer outdoor activities for disadvantaged youngsters, charities which help former drug addicts and recycling firms.

Mr Cook said: "We are involved in creating something different to try to attract new visitors so Heckmondwike can remodel around this theme of it having been a trading town.

"We want to incorporate disadvantaged people into building it because this is what we are about."

The centre is to act as a breeding ground for a number of small start-up businesses based at the business park.

Construction of the business park, which includes the education centre, is to start in the next few weeks but planning permission for the Saxon village still has to be approved by Kirklees Council.