A Yeadon beauty spot could become a centre of excellence for water sports if it is granted £500,000 of lottery money.

Council chiefs have forwarded a proposal to grant Yeadon Tarn more than £500,000 to boost its facilities and fund a centre which can be used by all the schools in the Leeds district.

The lottery funding will come from the New Opportunities Fund for a city-wide outdoor activities venue for the community.

The scheme has received initial approval and plans are being designed to develop it.

Councillor Graham Latty has welcomed the news.

"I fully support this, I really do," he said.

"I think that any money we can get that is going to improve facilities for the young people of Aireborough I am 100 per cent for it.

"There has been an expression of interest in the lottery asking for bids and they have asked for expressions of interest in money for 'use provision'.

"One of Leeds City Council's departments has put Yeadon Tarn as one of the expressions of interest for money for a Yeadon activities centre at the Tarn, with facilities and groups expanding."

Yeadon Tarn is owned by Leeds City Council and presently is a haven for youngsters offering a BMX track.

A spokesman for Leeds City Council's Leisure Services Department said: "Yeadon Tarn is on course to secure £500,000 plus lottery funding through the New Opportunities Fund for a city-wide outdoor activities venue for all of Leeds' schools to support their curriculum delivery, and for use by the local community.

"The scheme got Stage One approval one month ago, and now Education Leeds and Leeds Leisure Services are developing more detailed plans to carry forward the scheme through to Stage Two submission."

The Tarn already offers a wide range of activities from canoeing and yachting to angling.

A bandstand has also been opened at the venue thanks to the efforts of local councillors.

Stuart Andrew, of Project Yeadon, said: "I have heard there is going to be a lottery grant of half a million pounds to spend on doing up the Tarn.

"It is going to fantastic, it is just what we wanted."

Plans are currently under way by Aireborough Community Involvement Team to grant the Council's Youth Service £1,800 for a Tarn Skate Project.

The money would buy a Fun Box and a Quarter Pipe to add to the skate equipment at the Tarn Activity Centre.

The skatepark is already well used by youths across the district and is supervised by the Youth Service who offer youngsters additional support.