An extra 400 places could be created and 20 new staff employed by the major expansion of a Keighley educational project.

The Russell Street Project has secured funding to extend its services and offer a wider range of courses.

And as part of the reorganisation of Bradford Council's community development services department, the project will also take control of two Bradford-based programmes.

Project director Dick Taylor said: "It is absolutely fantastic. The opportunities are immense." He calculated the move, which is planned for August 1, would nearly double the size of the project.

Currently the Russell Street Project has more than 800 places in Keighley. The funding would enable the project to take 1,200.

It will also take over two new centres -- Computer Assisted Learning & Training and Education Centre (CALTEC), based at Challenge College, Bradford, and Shipley New Start.

CALTEC also operates 31 outreach centres across the district. With the extra courses the Russell Street Project can increase the number of CALTEC students from 600 to 1,000.

The expansion could nearly double the workforce of the project, including 20 new jobs created in Keighley. No new equipment is needed.

Mr Taylor added: "I started this project and didn't expect we would get to this size.

"I am very pleased and very proud of this result. A lot of hard work has gone in by teaching staff, non-teaching staff and the board.

The project, which is nine years old, has also been chosen by Bradford Vision to pilot a number of summer holiday courses for the Children's University. Those interested in helping with the project should e-mail Allan Clark at allan.clark@rsproject.co.uk.