The Hunslet Club, on Hillidge Road, will be treated to improvements worth thousands of pounds after being voted the most deserving organisation in Leeds.

It scooped the Connaught Christmas Present in a competition run by 96.3 Radio Aire and construction firm Connaught. The club attracted three times as many votes as the other two projects in the final combined.

The victory means that the sports hall, stage and changing rooms, all used for sports, dance and drama by hundreds of young people from across south Leeds every week, will receive their first makeover in more than 37 years.

Club funding officer Jason Slack, 30, said: "This is fantastic news. People really got behind this campaign in a big way, they voted, and they persuaded their friends and families to vote and we are immensely proud of the support they've shown for our work in the community."

Youngsters aged five and upwards use the centre every evening for activities as varied as boxing and drama.

Training

During the day 14 to 16 year olds receive vocational training in subjects such as car mechanics and hairdressing.

Mr Slack added: "We just feel that the children and young people in this part of Leeds truly deserve a games and performance space where they can have fun and proudly show what they can do with their sport, dance and drama skills."

He said Hunslet was one of the poorest wards in the city so the services and activities the club provided kept youngsters off the streets and out of trouble and helped them improve their lives.

Andy Green, Connaught area director, said: "Connaught has always placed great emphasis on making a lasting contribution to the areas in which we are working and we are thrilled to see such a deserving cause as the Hunslet Club be selected by the public to receive a much-needed makeover.

"It is impossible not to be impressed by the tremendous work they do with such a cross section of the local community, from young children learning gymnastics to teenagers trying their hands at car mechanics or hairdressing and adults honing their boxing skills, and we hope the newly renovated building will help inspire them even further."