A group of Muslim women who have launched a pioneering club to provide access to sport for themselves and their peers were today being presented with a prestigious award.

Girls aged 13 to 18 from Laisterdyke Business and Enterprise College formed Be More Together (BMT) to break barriers.

Sixth Form student Romana Farooq, 18, explained: "There are not enough fun activities, including sport, available to young women from our community.

"We want to be able to play sports such as football and cricket. So we decided to form the group to change attitudes in society and also give young women like ourselves more confidence."

Now, despite only being founded in the spring, BMT has scooped a Diana Award.

The awards originated in 1999, two years after Princess Diana's death, are handed out to young people across the country who inspire the lives of others'.

BMT members today attended an event at York's Merchant Taylor's Hall to receive the award. Maggie Turner, Diana Award director, said: "In the tenth anniversary year of the late princess, we want to establish the Diana Award as the primary, prestigious award for children and young people.

"The Diana Award team is looking forward to celebrating the inspirational achievements of Be More Together."

At present BMT has 20 members. However, the group is keen to swell its numbers with girls from all cultures.

Uzma Zahid, 13, said: "We did a lot of research at first and discovered that young girls between the ages of 11 and 20 in our community were not being asked what they wanted to do.

"We decided to apply for funding and form our own group together.

"It's definitely bringing people together. We have all got different jobs."

As well as taking part in a range of sports at Thornbury Youth Centre, BMT members also recently enjoyed a trip to Bolton Abbey and Pleasure Island in Cleethorpes.

Miss Farooq added: "It important to integrate with different cultures.

"Young women should be allowed to express themselves as well. The opportunities are there - please come and get involved."

BMT was launched thanks to funding of £10,000 from regeneration body Bradford Vision and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. To find out more about BMT, contact Laisterdyke Business and Enterprise College on (01274) 401140.