THE club where Lothersdale's Paralympic star Danielle Brown first learned her trade, Aire Valley Archers, is to receive major funding to upgrade its facilities.

Based at St Ives Estate, Bingley, the club have been granted £75,176 of National Lottery funding to make their site more accessible to archers new and old of all ages and abilities.

Aire Valley Archers, which has been located behind Coppice Pond at St Ives since 1972, will use the money to replace their clubhouse with a purpose-built wooden building, which will have wheelchair access. It will also include a workshop for equipment repairs, secure storage for club equipment and provide meeting space for coaching and facilities for preparing refreshments.

Some of the funds will also be used to set up a bow loan scheme to enable new members to rent equipment.

Club Chairman Adam Roe said: “We are thrilled to have secured this funding, which means we can finally provide our members with facilities and equipment that can be accessed and enjoyed by all, regardless of age, ability or background.

"It is the cornerstone of our strategy to have exceptional club facilities so we can encourage people to enjoy the sport following on from the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012.

"Danielle Brown, who won gold in the Paralympics, began her love of archery here and we’re hoping we can encourage a new generation of world class athletes to take aim and hit the gold."

Aire Valley Archers are among 148 local sports projects to secure a share of £10 million of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund.

Since 2011, Inspired Facilities has been helping breathe new life into tired community sports facilities and converting existing buildings into venues suitable for grassroots sport.