Community centre plans for 1937 fire station at Gipton

Gipton and Stanks fire stations are to merge and be replaced with a new building at Killingbeck

A 1930s fire station in West Yorkshire is to be sold and turned into a community centre.

Gipton fire station in Leeds was earmarked for closure in 2011 when West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue's announced cost-cutting measures.

The fire service said plans for the building had already been discussed with community groups.

Zest Health for Life, Gipton Supported Independent Living, and St Vincent's will all use the building.

Jimi Heselden died in 2011 when he fell from a footpath while riding his Segway scooter

The fire service said the new community centre at Gipton would be given money from the legacy of a local businessman and philanthropist, Jimi Heselden, who died in 2011 when he fell from a footpath above the River Wharfe while riding his Segway scooter.

Gipton and Stanks fire stations will be replaced with a new building at Killingbeck, the fire service said.

Building at Killingbeck is due to start in April and finish in October 2015, and if plans are approved the community centre at Gipton would open when Killingbeck is finished, the fire service said.

Stations at Rawdon, Otley, Brighouse, Elland, Hemsworth, South Elmsall, Batley and Dewsbury are also to be closed and replaced with stations at Menston, Rastrick, South Kirkby and Batley Carr.