Keighley Citizens' Advice Bureau has been awarded more than £74,000 to expand its services.

It is one of a series of grants across the district from the National Lottery Charities Board.

Also benefiting is Bradford Racial Equality Council, which has been given £319,598. It will use the grant to create more community reporting centres where people can go for support against racism.

And the money will pay for a team of five workers to tackle racial harassment on estates throughout the city.

Staff at Quest for Economic Development (QED) in Bradford are also celebrating after being awarded a £271,980 grant to improve training, education and employment for ethnic minorities in the area.

The cash will pay for five extra staff and office equipment for the charity.

Mohammed Ali, QED's chief executive, said: "During the first phase of Lottery funding it became clear that the biggest impact in improving the lives of the most disadvantaged communities would be to close the widening communications gaps between the minority communities and the major institutions.

"The Lottery grant has made it possible to carry out a number of programmes which will together influence the diverse policies and the practices of these institution."

The funding will also lead to new schemes including support to Asian businesses, encouraging Asian parents to become involved in their children's education through homework clubs, and a variety of employment initiatives.

The Racial Equality Council (REC) project will be extended for three years because of the Lottery cash.

The two-year pilot project was started by the REC as part of the Bradford Alliance Against Racial Harassment.

The group secured European funds to set up two community reporting centres on the Canterbury estate and in West Bowling where residents could report racist incidents and seek help.

Ishtiaq Ahmed said: "The REC has dealt with more than 200 incidents so far this year. Some of them have come from the support centres and others have come directly to us, but there is an obvious need.''

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