Keighley College would make an ideal site for a much-needed conference centre and theatre, says a town centre boss.

Andrew Mallinson believes the existing college complex should be knocked down to make way for a showpiece building.

Councillor Mallinson, chairman of Keighley Town Centre Management Group, says there is scope for a "smashing" multi-use venue.

The two college buildings in Cavendish Street will be left empty if Keighley College moves to a new purpose-built campus in Dalton Lane.

College bosses must sell the existing site to raise some of the £23 million needed for its proposed new facilities.

Cllr Mallinson, whose Bradford Council ward includes central Keighley, says he would prefer the present buildings to be demolished.

He says "It doesn't fit well with the period buildings around it. You could design something that's sympathetic to its surroundings.

"Keighley is crying out for an 'under-one-roof' conference centre and leisure facility. The transport infrastructure is there.

"If we maintain some sort of hall structure it opens itself up for some high-tech conference facility. We've very few open spaces for performances."

Cllr Mallinson says there are several pots of government money around for such building projects.