Work to transform a run-down recreation site - once recognised as a centre of sporting excellence by former England football manager Sir Bobby Robson - got underway this week as 300 volunteers rolled up their sleeves.

Major regeneration plans to transform Scholemoor housing estate to include a community garden, state-of-the-art computer facilities and a new multi-sports area received a boost when staff from a Bradford-based organisation swapped their desk jobs for manual work.

About 55 Provident Financial employees a day are volunteering to take part in the week-long renovation project at Scholemoor Community Centre, Dracup Road, to clear rubbish, cut back vegetation, decorate and replace paving.

Stronger fencing, new signs and improved access to a derelict sports centre behind the site is also expected to contribute to a £600,000 regeneration project planned for the area. Matthew Milnes, chairman of the Scholemoor Community Association spearheading the scheme, said: "It is massively important because it is preparing the area and cleaning it up for future opportunities."

Mr Milnes, 19, who also works part-time as a youth worker, said plans were underway to redevelop the former sports ground opened 19 years ago by Sir Bobby Robson and the England football team as a centre of football excellence.

He said: "They had to demolish it because it fell into disrepair and was a health and safety hazard.

"But after two-and-a-half years of hard work we are putting in an application this month to make it into a multi-use games area including football, basketball and cricket. We hope it will be ready by next summer."

Two more phases of redevelopment were also earmarked for the future including a skate park, children's play area and music centre.

Steve Tipping, head of communications at Provident Financial, said: "We have been in Bradford for 125 years and are part of the community and so what is good for Bradford is good for us.

"The voluntary work has been great because it has given staff the opportunity to make a difference and do things they would not normally do."

The volunteers challenge was organised in partnership with Business in the Community's Bradford Cares programme, which introduces businesses to community programmes.