Keighley Community Transport has been saved from the axe following a successful appeal to Bradford council for cash.

Keighley Disabled People's Council, Relate, the town's Pre-School Learning Alliance and Bangladeshi Community Asso-ciation will also receive funding.

But around a dozen other Keighley voluntary organisations and community groups saw their appeals against earlier no-funding decisions turned down.

The council last month agreed to fund 120 organisations across the district from next April through its £6 million voluntary sector budget.

Part of the cash was set aside for successful appeals by groups which could demonstrate good reasons for a re-think. These appeals were heard on Wednesday.

Keighley groups refused funding included the Women's Centre, Furniture Store, Asian Youth Organisation, Commun-ity Nursery and the Russell Street Project.

Cllr Ralph Berry, chairman of the council committee responsible for handing out grants, believes the right decisions were made to address a range of concerns. He says: "Once again it has been a difficult decision and ideally we would have liked to have helped more groups."

Keighley people sent petitions and letters of support for some of the groups and local councillors made behind-the-scenes representations.

Cllr Barry Thorne says he is delighted that some Keighley groups got through.

Loss of grant would have been a 'devastating blow' to Community Transport. More than 30 letters were sent on behalf of the organisation, which provides low-cost minibus transport for 200 community groups serving the elderly, children and disabled.

A volunteer committee funds the upkeep of the buses through hire charges but needs a grant to pay for office support and the wages of coordinator Allan Harrison.

Keighley Disabled People's Council uses its annual grant to pay the wages of long-time advice worker Keith Bell, who helps 1,000 people a year.

The council runs fundraising events to pay for its Temple Row Centre, which provides a cafe, social and educational activities and a base for other groups.

Ted Stowell, chairman of the Disabled People's Council, says: "We're very pleased. The people of Keighley can continue coming for advice."

Cllr Berry says the council will take a 'fairly assertive' approach with the Disabled People's Council to ensure it delivers the services it is supposed to.

Concerns had been expressed about the strength of its management.

Keighley Pre-School Learn-ing Alliance's grant pays for workers to support local playgroups as well as to spearhead district-wide moves to improve child-care and early-years education.

Loss of grant would have led to the closure of three playgroups in deprived areas of Keighley and lack of work to raise standards of pre-school care locally.

The Alliance also provides advice, financial support and low-cost supplies for 39 children's groups.

Relate, which provides relationship counselling for local people, uses its small annual grant to make up for a shortfall in cash from other sources.

Loss of grant could have led to the 'highly efficient' organisation closing after next March, and the loss of a new project helping young people who experience in distress.

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