A deaf centre has scooped the first £500 cash award from a new community scheme.

Bradford Deaf Centre was allocated the cash through the Water Works Community Awards, a joint initiative by Yorkshire Water and the Telegraph & Argus.

The scheme hands £500 to a local project each month to recognise community initiatives and to thank residents for their patience during a £100 million development to improve the city's sewerage and water system.

The centre's chairman Rita Berry was delighted to receive the first award for May, which will go towards a makeover and new tables.

She said: "This is fantastic because we raise all the money ourselves for trips and Christmas and need all the help we can get.

"The scheme is excellent because groups that are not well-known get recognised. We are a community that is widespread where people are isolated because no one else will help them. We are providing a public service for the wider community."

Deaf members meet at the club, on Hallfield Road, every Wednesday to engage in a range of activities, including dominoes, board games and bingo.

Miss Berry said: "This is a chance for people to meet, help and support one another when they are feeling lonely."

Entries from local groups are now being invited for June. These will go to a panel of judges who will select the winner of the month. Entries from May will be rolled over.

The awards will be made to groups which can use the cash to buy items that will directly benefit members of the community.

The money cannot be paid into funds supporting larger projects.

To enter, write to the address below explaining why your group should receive an award, what the money would be spent on and how it would benefit the local community.

To apply for the community scheme, write to the Water Works Community Awards, c/o Peter Orme, managing editor, Telegraph & Argus, Hall Ings, Bradford, BD1 1JR.