Thousands of youngsters across the district are to benefit from better sports facilities thanks to a massive lottery boost.

Bradford will receive more than £700,000 from the New Opportunities Fund to improve facilities for youngsters and communities across the district.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Allan Hillary, has welcomed the news because the biggest beneficiary is the Nell Bank Outdoor Education Centre in Ilkley which is also one of his chosen charities for his year in office.

The centre will get £224,937 grant to build a new covered amphitheatre, toilet and shower block.

Bruce Fowler, head of centre, said the money would benefit children from Bradford schools which use the facilities for outdoor pursuits, such as orienteering and pond dipping.

The centre caters for 10,000 children a year and the money will mean it can cater for 1,000 more.

Mr Fowler said: "I am absolutely ecstatic about the money. The centre is booming and I am looking forward to 2005 as being an absolutely spectacular year."

Coun Hillary said he was "thrilled to bits". He added: "The centre does such a wonderful job and this grant is so well deserved."

Other winners include Hothfield Junior School in Silsden which was awarded £125,000 to build a fenced, floodlit, multi-use games area and enhanced changing rooms. The facility will be used by the school, a partner school and the community.

Springwood Community Primary School, in Bradford, will benefit from £124,999 to create an outdoor play area, including two small fenced ball areas, trim trails, an orienteering course and ground markings.

The scheme will also benefit Green Lane Primary and Abbey Green Nursery Schools, the Saathi Youth Club and the community.

Head teacher Fran Warden said: "I am absolutely delighted with the improvement to the playground which is in a terrible condition. We want to improve it so that it can be used by a great age range and have some exciting and interesting equipment."

A fenced multi-use games area (MUGA) will be built at Allerton Primary School, Bradford with the help of £90,000.

Another MUGA will be built at Holybrook Primary School in Bradford which will receive £73,000 through the lottery funding.

And in Keighley £73,000 has been awarded to Guard House Primary to create a fenced, floodlit MUGA.

Head teacher Sandra Firm said: "The community doesn't have any facilities so this should occupy youths and give people opportunities to do things within the community as well."

Vanessa Druett, of NOF, said the funding was already having a major impact in schools and communities across Yorkshire and Humber.