TWO buildings in Silsden could be officially recognised as community assets under new plans.

They are among a raft of buildings which community groups are hoping to protect against being closed and sold off under their noses in the future.

Listing a building as an "asset of community value" does not give community groups first refusal if it comes up for sale, but it does give them the time they need to prepare a bid to buy it.

A singing club is hoping to list the council-owned Silsden Youth Centre, where it is based, and an adjoining children's centre.

The Daisy Chain Children's Centre had been at risk of being downgraded to an unstaffed "outreach centre" by Bradford Council in a cost-cutting plan that has now been put on ice.

In their application, the Silsden Singers say Silsden's old library building is already being sold off, and if the youth centre were to be threatened with closure as well, "it would provide a local community organisation or Silsden Town Council with the opportunity to buy the building and keep it open for community benefit".