Dedicated members of the Friends of Brackenhill group, with Ackworth Parish Council, have worked for four years to plan and raise cash for the facility on Dicky Sykes Lane.

Kath Stephenson, Friends’ chairman, said: “This side of Ackworth lacks shops and play areas, so some people can feel isolated.

“We wanted to change that and create somewhere for children to be safe by using the new centre.

“We plan to start a youth club and toddler group – as well as a lunch club with bingo for pensioners so it will be a place with something for everybody.”

The campaigners received keys to the building – which includes a meeting room, storage room, toilet and bathroom – last week.

Mayor of Wakefield Coun Allan Garbutt, chairman of Ackworth Parish Council, added: “This is a very exciting thing for our neighbourhood and it will be an asset for the whole community.”

The group is also organising new play equipment and improvements to fields in Brackenhill Park.

Residents are invited to a fun day to officially open the new centre from 11am to 1pm on Saturday April 12.