Bradford Council is leading the way by dedicating a section of its website to people who use British Sign Language.

The Welcome to Bradford Council BSL website - part of the Council's site - has been created in response to requests from the deaf community.

It offers 27 videos across six topics including an introduction to the Council with general contact details, information on benefits, Council Tax, rubbish bins, waste, recycling, neighbourhood support and details about services for the deaf.

The mini-site has been created because British Sign Language is a separate language to English and deaf people whose first language is BSL might not be fluent English readers.

The signing is done by Susie Farrar, a deaf person from Bradford, who is a qualified BSL trainer and assessor. The videos are subtitled as well as signed, for people who are hard of hearing.

If people prefer to get their information in written form, the scripts are available to read by selecting the link below each picture.

The BSL section is the latest addition to the range of services and information provided by the Council on its website.

Councillor Kris Hopkins, leader of the Council, said: "We are committed to making it as easy as possible for everyone in the district to communicate with the Council and to do other useful tasks such as request services or pay bills.

"More people are choosing to do this via the internet rather than by post. However, people can still ring up or have a face to face interview at bdirect (the Council's customer service centre) or other Council offices around the district including Keighley, Bingley and Shipley Town Halls."

Sue Longbottom, manager of bdirect, emphasised that they would need to know in advance if BSL support was needed so the necessary arrangements could be made. Some staff in the town halls have reached stage one in signing so they can at least meet and greet people in sign language.