A VENUE that has supported residents in the Little Horton area of Bradford for more than a decade is the latest nominee in this year's Community Stars Awards.

The West End Centre, based within St Oswald’s Church in Christopher Street, offers a range of groups and activities in areas such as IT, education, employment skills, and healthy-eating.

It has been nominated in the Community Group category of the awards, which honour those who go the extra mile to make a positive difference across the district.

Sheila Brett, from Bradford Council's Neighbourhood Service, put the group forward in recognition of the range of activities on offer.

"There is an allotment project, a job club which is helping people into work and training, and a lunch club that offers two courses of freshly cooked food for £3.50, which links in with the cookery group, healthy lifestyles sessions, and weekly walking group," she said.

"There is also an art club, basic skills sessions, and computing for beginners.

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"Their walking group took part in the 'Beautiful BD5' clean-up week in June, cheerfully playing their part in making Little Horton a great place to live, learn, work, and play.

"Their new allotment group has got stuck into clearing their patch on Sunny Bank allotments, and they have started planting vegetables and fruit, erected a shed, and are creating raised beds.

"Without people willing to support the running of all of this, the West End Centre would be a far less lively place."

Mrs Brett added that when she attended the group's recent AGM, she was surprised at how many people were actively participating, which she said was not normally the case with a lot of community groups.

"This demonstrates the ethos of the West End Centre in action," she said.

"It is testament to the can-do attitude of the people involved as staff, trustees, and volunteers, along with the diverse range of people who benefit from what is on offer, that this centre is thriving and has recently celebrated its tenth anniversary.

"The centre is usually buzzing with groups and activities making the maximum use of the community space created in the church. Anyone could go here and feel welcome."

Fran Holgate, the centre's community development and monitoring officer, said the centre had made a "real difference" to the area, adding it was a "lovely surprise" to be nominated in the awards.

The honours are organised by the Telegraph & Argus and Bradford Council in an effort to ensure unsung heroes across the district are rewarded for their commitment.

Nominations for the awards must be submitted before Monday, September 28.

They will then be whittled down by a panel of judges before Bradfordians have the job of voting for who they think is the most deserving from a shortlist of nominees.

Winners in the six categories - Volunteer, Good Neighbour, Community Group, Fundraiser, Community Champion, and Young Active Citizen - will be announced at a ceremony at City Hall on December 2, where they will each be presented with the Bradford Medal.