Campaigners battling to save a former school for their community are hoping an offer to take over the building will be a success.

Residents in Baildon were horrified when the former Tong Park Primary School was put up for sale by Bradford Council.

It closed in July as part of Bradford's schools shake-up and residents now fear they could lose the focal point of community life in the area to housing developers.

At a Tong Park Community Forum meeting, it was agreed that an offer should be made to take over the running of the premises.

Linda Johnson Lee, community forum secretary, said: "If we lost the building we would lose the hub of the community and the ability to gather democratically.

"We are hoping that Bradford Council will look favourably on our bid because it is the only public place capable of holding meetings in our distinct area. It has been used for area panels, forum meetings, polling stations and as a leisure and recreational venue. It is a vital part of our community.

"We have gathered in the Shoulder of Mutton pub for meetings but this cannot continue because it prevents certain members of the community from taking part in discussions."

The group is hoping to fund their bid with money from the Millennium Fund and the National Lottery.

Julie Brannan, landlady at the Shoulder of Mutton, Otley Road, said: "We have put in a bid for the old school because there is no provision for activities in the area. We are hoping to hold youth clubs, coffee mornings and bingo which will provide something for people right across the board. If the school is taken away from us there will be nowhere to hold neighbourhood forums or voting."

Councillor John Briggs (Lib Dem, Baildon) said he was all in favour of the community doing things for the betterment of the area.

"I am encouraging the bid but it is up to the public to think about how they will maintain the building and where they will get their resources from. I think the easy part will be getting it!"

A spokesman for Bradford Council said all bids had been received but was unable to comment further.