Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Somali project managers and community group leaders came together to learn about helping people to make a Healthy Start'.

They met representatives from Bradford and Manchester primary care trusts at Carlisle Business Centre, Carlisle Road, Manningham, to learn about maternal and child nutrition and how it can be helped by a new Healthy Start initiative from the Department of Health.

The scheme enables qualifying families to swap vouchers for fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as milk and infant formula and vitamin supplements.

The Bradford conference enabled the community leaders to learn more about how the scheme works.

Anita Sims, public health director for Bradford said: "It is critical for us to connect with the local community and to promote and offer services that can be used by all.

"The conference was a great way for us to speak to the communities and understand the issues and sensitivities when it comes to family and child health."