YORK'S Bangladeshi community was celebrating today after being awarded a £5,000 Lottery grant.

The cash will pay for a laptop computer to aid the York Association of the Bangladeshi Community to teach the Bengali language to youngsters.

It will also buy a sewing machine for Bangladeshi women to pass on their traditional dress-making skills.

Association secretary Iqbal Chow said: "I'm delighted. The grant will make a big difference. It's important that our language and traditions are preserved."

The Bengali language classes take place on Sundays between 3pm and 5pm at the Burton Stone Community Centre.

Other York groups awarded Lottery grants include: Arms Akimbo Community Music, given £4,800 to start a community music group; York Photographic Society, awarded £4,640 to hold a series of lectures; British Korean Veterans Association, given £940 to buy a new branch standard; City of York Youth Theatre, awarded £800 to support film makers at two York schools.

In Ryedale, Upper Helmsley, Scoreby and Gate Helmsley village hall was awarded £5,000 to help fund the replacement of its damaged roof.

Pickering War Memorial Charitable Trust was given £4,500 to maintain the village hall, and Malton and Norton table-tennis coaching group were awarded a £3,977 grant to get up and running.

Bubwith playing field group was awarded £4,400 to purchase a portable stage which will be used to attract new users to to the facility.

Updated: 09:57 Saturday, October 20, 2001