The Lord Mayor of Bradford proved he is all heart by supporting a £1million fundraising campaign to help heart attack patients.

The Love Note Campaign has been organised by the British Heart Foundation, and Councillor Robin Owens visited the charity's shop in Ivegate, Bradford, to post his own message of love and encourage others to do the same.

All money raised through the campaign will go to the BHF Valentine Appeal, which is aiming to raise £1million to help fund essential heart nurses and the heart helpline.

A spokesman for the charity said: "Writing a Love Note is a fantastic way to show you care.

"We've had poems, pictures and even messages for pets, so why not join in the fun?

"Simply walk into your local BHF shop and, for a suggested donation of £1, write a Love Note with your romantic message to post in the shop window for all to see.

"For a truly unique way to catch someone's eye this Valentines, you can even add a picture of you and your loved one.

"For those with a really big heart, you can donate just £2 for a new larger-size sparkly Love Note for that extra special message.

"Local businesses can also pledge their support for the appeal by sponsoring a special bronze (£10), silver (£20), or gold (£50) Love Note to place in a prominent position in our shop windows.

"Sponsorship of just one gold Love Note could help BHF to pay for two hours of specialist care from a BHF heart nurse."

The campaign is being supported by Gordon Creswell, 74, of Bradford, who is a heart patient and has first-hand experience of the care provided by the BHF.

He had a triple heart by-pass in 1987, a single heart by-pass in 2005 and several heart attacks in between.

"I have a lot to thank my BHF heart nurse for," he said. "She is great.

"If I don't see her, she is on the other end of the phone.

"She has given me a lot of confidence and nothing is too much trouble."

Mr Creswell is one of 2.6million people in the UK living with coronary heart disease.

Last year, BHF heart nurses were able to help 50,000 of these heart patients and the charity's heart helpline provided support and information to 13,000 callers.

Debbie Boylen, regional manager for BHF Shops in Bradford, said: "With the support of the local community in Bradford, the BHF could help care for even more heart patients and their families.

"Your support really will make a huge difference to so many vulnerable people across the UK, whether in their homes or on the telephone.

"So please visit a BHF Shop and write a Love Note today and together we can beat heart disease."

Councillor Owens added: "I am delighted to be supporting this appeal to help the nation's leading heart charity in its fight against heart disease."

For more information on all the ways to support the appeal this year and events in Bradford visit www.bhf.org.uk/valentine or contact (01623) 624558.