Keighley's Racial Equality Council is fighting for survival, we can reveal.

The organisation, formed 19 years ago, has technically been closed down following the demise of its sister body in Bradford.

But a newly formed management committee is preparing an emergency funding bid to Bradford council to maintain the organisation's work in the town.

And yesterday Keighley REC director Zafar Ali, pictured, - who has been given notice of redundancy - told us he was confident of survival and he vowed it was still "business as usual" at the Albert Street offices.

"We provide a unique and invaluable service in Keighley and it would be disastrous for the people of the town if we had to shut," he says.

The local authority - which funded Bradford REC - says because that organisation has now been dissolved, all its other operations including the Keighley branch have also been closed.

The shock news comes less than a month after assurances were given by Keighley REC that it would be unaffected by the Bradford closure.

Mr Ali says: "Technically we have been closed down but I have a further three months in the post and our offices will remain open.

"I am hopeful we will be able to get the necessary funding to continue and meantime our work will carry on."

Council leader Cllr Ian Greenwood says he is confident Keighley REC will be reinstated.

He adds: "Bradford council would certainly put no barriers in providing appropriate funding. We hope there would be no break in service for the people of Keighley."

Last year Keighley REC dealt with around 2,700 cases.

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