A Bradford community group has won the praise and support of the Prime Minister and MPs in the run-up to the official opening of its new centre.

The Bangladeshi People's Association (BPA), celebrating its 42nd anniversary this month, has opened its new premises offering improved facilities for both the young and elderly members of Manningham's Asian community.

Services will include an educational cyber caf and computer courses for Bangladeshi women to help them into work. A youth exchange scheme is also planned for Asian youngsters and centre members to visit New York to discover how local services deal with drug misuse.

Praise for the organisation has been received from Conservative leader William Hague as well as local MPs. And in a personally signed letter to the BPA, Tony Blair said: "The remarkable courage, determination and self-help that you have demonstrated in making your organisation a success must be an inspiration to everyone."

Centre manager Lukman Miah said volunteers had fought back from a cut in council grants to transform the former nightclub on Cornwall Terrace into a community centre.

"A lot of people thought that the group would fold, but members have put money in from their own pockets and given up their time," he said.