Royal Park Primary School in Woodhouse, Leeds closed five years ago and has since stood empty while Leeds City Council considers options for its future.

Now fed up at what they see as a lack of progress and growing increasingly concerned at the building's disrepair, a group of DIY crusaders - who would like the former school saved for community uses – have gained access without council permission and started their own repair job.

And a banner hung outside of the building reads: "Royal Park School Reclaimed."

Broken windows have been replaced, rubbish cleared and roof repairs are planned.

Plumber Andrew Beresford, who also has roofing experience and is one of about 20 people taking part in the unofficial refurbishment, said the group had distributed handbills explaining what they were doing and appealing to trades people and other volunteers for help.

He said the during the summer lead was removed from the former school's roof.

Mr Beresford said: "The council said it would be mended but nothing has happened. While the building has been empty it has been vandalised and is becoming an eyesore.

"We want to make sure the roof is not leaking throughout the winter and we will tidy up the yard."

Mr Beresford feared that if the building was allowed to deteriorate much further it would end up being demolished and the site sold for development.

He said he had never been involved in such direct action and added: "Hopefully this is a positive move and something positive will come out of it."

Ted Winter, also involved in the occupation, said: "People are in here to safeguard the building from deteriorating any more and the council should be supporting them instead of spending money on security that has been ineffective."

According to council figures, about £21,000 has been spent on security and maintenance since August 2005.

Mr Winter believed the action being taken would raise the profile of the issue and added: "We need ideas, volunteers and funds if this is to be retained as a community hub."

Although not listed, the former school is a large, imposing brick building that is a dominant feature in the neighbourhood.

The occupation appears to be well organised. When the YEP visited, people had to sign in and were issued with hard hats.

While outside volunteers were busy clearing the yard, inside others were knocking out broken window panes and clearing collapsed ceiling tiles damaged by water.

The council's executive board last month heard that the Al Hassan Education Centre and Muslim Association of Leeds 11 had made a joint financial bid to convert the building into a faith school and community facilities, while New Horizons wanted to buy it for use as a nursery along with community and recreation facilities.

There is also interest from the Royal Park Community Consortium, an umbrella group of neighbourhood organisations, which has asked for ownership of the building so it can apply for grants to refurbish the building for community use.

A report to the board said: "Without an early disposal of the building there is no real alternative to demolition."

A spokeswoman for Leeds City Council said: "In recognition of the strong feelings in the community about retention of the former Royal Park Primary School, the council has been exploring options to achieve a viable solution for a considerable time.

"Our immediate concern is to bring the building back into use. As a result we are shortly going to invite best and final offers for the building from prospective developers.

"Local residents have asked the council to replace lead stolen from the roof in June and to continue maintaining the building, but our view is that it would not be cost effective for the council to spend the significant money necessary on this building now when it is shortly going to be sold and responsibility for it passed to a developer.

"We understand that members of the community have taken unauthorised occupation of the building in order to carry out repairs to the roof and other parts of the building. However we have very grave concerns about the safety of any members of the public entering the building illegally and getting onto the roof."

She said officers had visited the building to ensure those occupying it were aware of the council's view.

Coun Jamie Matthews (Lib Dem, Headingley) said he and other local councillors wanted the building retained for community use and understood the residents frustration, but councillors had concerns about people occupying it if it was unsafe.

He said: "We also believe the council should carry out the necessary roof repairs to make sure the building does not deteriorate further."