Work to turn Keighley into a pioneering town for how it treats people with dementia was enthusiastically welcomed by councillors last night.

Alzheimer’s UK wants to turn the entire district of Bradford into a “dementia friendly” area, and Keighley is one of the first communities to be targeted.

A representative from the charity met members of Bradford Council’s Keighley Area Committee last night, saying she wanted charities, organisations and businesses in the town to come together. Ideas include having designated people with dementia training in shops, banks and other services.

Coun Russell Brown said Bradford’s hospitals and university were leading the way with dementia care, but the area did not always reflect these achievements at street level.

The committee agreed to work with the charity on a dementia-friendly strategy.