The first school kitchens in the country - built to provide for Bradford's slum children - are being brought back into use.

The derelict roofless buildings next to Green Lane Primary in Manningham have historic significance.

They were the first place to serve up free school meals at the turn of the 20th century, a pioneering move later copied across the country.

The Grade II-listed buildings in Mann-ingham, dating from 1907, have been disused for 20 years.

But they have now been rescued by Green Lane Primary School, which has agreed to take over responsibility for the buildings from Bradford Council.

Head teacher Kevin Holland has ambitious plans to restore them to provide extra facilities.

He says converting the tumbledown buildings could cost £2 million but he hopes to get help from outside organisations.

Meanwhile, work has begun on fencing off part of the site for a new multi-use games area, to be shared with next door Springwood Primary.

"We are now in the process of trying to look around for various pots of money to try to redevelop these buildings," said Mr Holland.

"It's a brave move and I must admit I have lost sleep over it."

He said the history of the buildings gave them a special place in the hearts of many people in Bradford.

"We have had contact from time to time from people who remember the buildings," he said. "I'm sure many people would be interested that at last they are being renovated.

"If anyone wants to be involved or has some cash, they should get in touch."

Sure Start, which helps families with under-fives, is considering using the new buildings as a base, and space could also be provided for adult language classes in conjunction with Belle Vue Girls' School, which is to be a specialist languages college from September.

The extra space will also be valuable to Green Lane as it is bursting at the seams with 550 youngsters.

Mr Holland said the extra rooms could become specialist classrooms, or provide health and sports facilities - much needed by the local neighbourhoods which are among the most deprived in the district.

When the school kitchens were first put up, the result of campaigning by social reformers such as Margaret McMillan, it was to provide for desperately poor slum children.

Head teacher of the then-Green Lane Elementary School was Jonathan Priest-ley, father of famous author JB.

The block at Green Lane was the central kitchens for Bradford, and special wagons delivered the meals to a number of dining centres throughout the city.