BMX riders from all over the area are to benefit from a £5,000 grant from the National Lottery.

The money is part of the Awards for All scheme, which has presented five community groups in the area with a total of £18,055.

As well as the BMX club, groups that have benefited include Burley-in-Wharfedale Youth Society, Otley Film Society, Leathley Parish Room Committee and the Savoyard Appreciation Society.

The Leeds BMX Club, based at Yeadon Tarn BMX track where champion and amateur riders practice together, has scooped £4969 from the programme that enables local groups to improve their communities through sports, arts, heritage or community activities, as well as health, educational and environmental projects.

With the money, the club aims to provide four new coaches as well as first aid qualifications for volunteers, an electronic start gate and containers for shelter and storage.

The club has worked hard since May to get the track to the standard it is now, but National BMX Champion Jeremy Hayes, who is chairman of the club, is keen to see more improvements.

The track at the Tarn was built and surfaced earlier this year by Leeds Leisure Services, working with community groups, including the club, but the BMX riders are hoping for more improvements both from the Awards for All grant and council support.

Mr Hayes said: "We have put a lot of work in so far, and this project has been built on a shoestring, so the grant lets us all give a big sigh of relief.

"We all worked at weekends with shovels and spades to sort the track out, but we still need more improvements because tracks across the country are far better than ours, but have been made with less effort.

"Some BMX tracks are getting £50,000 funding and then a club starts up, but we've got the club ready first and now need to sort the track and facilities out."

Mr Hayes, from Horsforth, added that the scheme was good for the community since there wasn't enough emphasis on youth activities.

"There isn't much for the young to do around here, but this is ideal - the track isn't just for taking part, lots of people come to watch and they get to see champions and amateurs riding.

"There is a lot of talent at the club and we want to promote that. We also want to host local and regional events, and we are getting closer all the time."

Money has also been awarded to Burley-in-Wharfedale Youth Forum, which has received a £2,500 cash boost that has paid for a feasibility study to establish the need, financial implication and options available for future indoor youth work in the village.

Bob Jones, Chairman of the forum, said: "We are lacking facilities in the village and our main concern is the loss of the youth club.

"The feasibility study has enabled us to learn a lot about the village and what our priorities are regarding youth provisions in Burley.

"The funds have made it easier for us to move forward, and we hope to be able to think about re-siting the youth club and adding facilities like perhaps an IT room or a revamp of the lounge."

Otley Film Society has received £4,320 for the group that promotes the appreciation of films in the area.

The group shows films on a regular basis for the public and they also work with the Otley Action for Older People group and have a golden oldies matinee club for older folk who would rather go out through the day.

The money will be used to purchase updated portable projection equipment to increase participation.

Travelling opera group the Savoyard Appreciation Society has received £1,500 to produce and perform Pirates of Penzance across the country and the West Yorkshire Savoyards performed the Gilbert and Sullivan opera in Guiseley at the start of October.

Leathley Parish Room Committee has received £4,766, which will be used to replace the windows in the main hall at the meeting place used for social activities, clubs and other

community groups.

The hall caters for residents from Farnley, Stainburn, Castley, Lindley and Harrogate.

Awards for All has already given out over £9million across Yorkshire and the Humber and grants are available from £500 to £5000, which are usually awarded to groups whose annual income is under £15,000.

l The awards are specifically to be used to fund new activities, as opposed to paying for running costs and community groups who would like to apply for a grant can call 0845 6002040 for an information pack or to discuss a regional project, call the regional office on 0113 2245328.