A multi-million-pound project to relocate Keighley College and make way for a flagship development in the town centre is set to be approved by Bradford Council planners.

The Council's executive committee, which meets on Tuesday, is being urged to approve outline proposals for the scheme.

If given the go-ahead, the scheme would pave the way for the college, with its 14,000 students, to move from its present location in Cavendish Street and North Street into a state-of-the-art development on land off Dalton Lane.

And it would release an area of land which could help regenerate the town centre.

The new campus is expected to be partly funded by the Learning and Skills Council. Talks are already underway.

But it is also hoped to win cash backing for the broader project from the Lottery pot, Europe and Yorkshire For-ward.

The new development would be next to Keighley railway station and could also have shops, leisure and conference facilities, car parking and a link to the station and bus lay-by.

It is planned to relocate Keighley Bus Museum in the complex. At present it occupies a building on the proposed site owned by Bradford Council.

Deputy council leader Simon Cooke, (Con, Bingley Rural), executive member for corporate and regeneration, said it was important to get the Dalton Lane development moving forward. It is a fantastic opportunity for the college and for the redevelopment of a large site in the centre of town, he said.

"It would free up a large area bang in the middle of the town. It's important that whatever development is there, we get it right. It could be leisure, shopping or a host of mixed uses, including accommodation," he said.

Approving the college scheme would demonstrate to funding organisations that Bradford Council was fully in support.

College Principal David Gates said it was an exciting project.

The new college would have separate centres for advanced engineering, construction, computing, technology, multi-media, health and social care and hairdressing.

It would work closely with Keighley businesses to plan the courses.