A former mill which has stood empty for more than four years is to be transformed into an indoor paintballing centre.

Paintballing firm Go Ballistic is moving its national headquarters to the mill as part of an expansion plan which will create around 15 jobs.

The mill, off Ripley Street, West Bowling, Bradford, will be converted into one of the largest indoor arenas in the country, and become home to the firm's national distribution centre and its team of full-time staff.

Managing director Bernie James, pictured, confirmed the company was expecting to move into its new premises from its current base in Harrogate within two weeks.

He said the firm, which owns six outdoor sites around the UK, had considered sites across the country before deciding to relocate to Bradford.

"Bradford is quite an up and coming city with a huge amount of development going on," he said. "We wanted to tap into a bigger population and be closer to the motorway network.

"Bradford is a happening place to be and ambitious, a bit like ourselves. We are on a rapid growth programme and this decision to choose Bradford as our new home was not taken lightly."

The new indoor arena, one of just three in the UK, will be the first to feature two separate themed zones. And the firm plans to scrap its £13-plus entrance charge for its Bradford site, with participants only paying for the paint pellets they use.

"The indoor centre is a new concept for us and we want to make it affordable for local people," he said. "They will be able to come down just for an hour or two rather than spending a lot of money and taking out a whole day."

The firm currently employs two full-time and up to 30 part-time staff, but is expecting those numbers to double after it moves to Bradford. It is hoping to attract customers from as far afield as Manchester and Sheffield.

"We have been needing to take on more staff for some time, but it seemed pointless expanding in Harrogate," he said.

"Everything that we have been doing hinges on our move to Bradford, and we will be looking to take on new people in management and other full-time roles."

The new centre is expected to be up and running by early October and will be the first paintballing site in the district.

Mr James said: "It is the fastest growing sport in Europe and a massive industry."