Keighley's athletics track has never had the best of facilities -- but they have got steadily worse since the start of this season's athletics winter training programme.

The 'temporary' cabins that have been there for years were used for changing rooms, toilets and one was the main office. These are due to be replaced by properly built facilities but as yet these have not materialised.

The school is now used as unisex changing facilities which means a longer walk from the track.

One of the coaches at Keighley and Craven Athletics Club said: "The huts (as they were known) were the focal point at the track because they were so close. The stand-in facilities are not conducive to training with poor weather in the winter months."

Already Tuesday and Saturday training sessions for younger athletes have seen a decrease in numbers, but poor facilities are not the only factor contributing to fewer athletes turning up to the club sessions, recent flooding and terrible weather conditions at this time of year could both have contributed.

Anthony Gill, aged 23 is an international athlete who comes home from university specifically to train with his coach at Greenhead track and has said: "It is hard enough as it is when training to the level which I am, without having to use these facilities."

UK athletics qualified coaches consider the problem to be a lack of communication between the school and the Bradford Met. They have not planned ahead and therefore the facilities are not up to the standard they should be.

There isn't an office for staff which means there is nowhere to put up notices which kept athletes informed of fixtures for indoor athletics and has led to Keighley and Craven AC missing out on two competitions.

Christine Oates, Coaching Director for Bingley Harriers Athletics Club has not used Greenhead track for training sessions with her group for some time now due to the sub-standard facilities.

"I would expect much better facilities considering the size of the Bradford area," she said.

For the up and coming athletes better facilities can help nurture their potential. At the moment the young athletes from Keighley -- and across a much wider area -- are not being given a fair chance because the facilities are just not up modern standards .