Developers of luxury apartments in Shipley will pay for more than £2 million of improvements to the town.

The money has been pledged to Bradford Council by Newmason Properties in a legal agreement laid down as part of the planning conditions for the £60 million development of Victoria Mills in Salts Mill Road.

The Council today said it was the largest contribution of its type ever to be made by a developer in the district.

The money, which has been handed over to the Council, will be spent on housing, improvements to the transport network and recreation facilities in Shipley and Saltaire.

Councillor Simon Cooke, executive member for regeneration, said: "The money pledged by Newmason Properties is the largest contribution of its kind ever made by a Bradford developer.

"We are delighted at the help and interest they have shown in creating a new improved Airedale for the 21st century."

The improvement works will be carried out in line with ideas expressed in the Aire Valley masterplan - a vision to turn the area into Europe's centre of digital communications.

Consultancy firm Arup is currently working with local businesses, organisations and residents to draw up the plan which will look at ways of improving the infrastructure of the Aire Valley.

The finished plan is expected to be unveiled early next year.

Director of Newmason Properties Alec Newsham said the company supported this vision.

He said: "We want to see Shipley flourish and we are only too pleased to do our bit to further improve the quality of life in what is already a lovely place to live."

The bulk of the money will be spent on providing "affordable housing" in Shipley, £160,000 will be spent strengthening existing pedestrian and transport links between Saltaire and Shipley and a further £60,000 will go towards a project to restore and improve recreation facilities at Roberts Park in Saltaire.