A healthy living co-ordinator will go to bingo sessions to canvass ideas for a £1 million healthy living centre in Allerton.

Michaela Howell has decided to get out to places where people socialise to get public input on the Caf West scheme, which aims to improve quality of life in the area.

The building is being constructed with a grant from the National Lottery's New Opportunities Fund on the site of Allerton Health Centre on Wanstead Crescent.

But Ms Howell wants to make sure Caf West provides community facilities, courses and health improvement services that residents of Allerton and Lower Grange want and need.

She said: "I am going to start going to parents-with-tots meetings, evening classes, bingo sessions and the youth services and a whole lot more to tell people about the plans and get their ideas and opinions on the project.

"I will be targeting groups that meet in the schools and the churches because I am sure people will have views about this and I want to make sure they have chance to make them heard."

Planned facilities include a community caf, creche, indoor bowling green, IT suite, complementary therapies and exercise programmes.

There will also be workers from arts schemes Artworks and Dance for Life, as well as a children's health programme run by Barnardo's Churches and Neighbourhood Action project and a teenage health clinic run by local GP surgeries.

Suggestions so far have included a children's library, support group and facilities for exercise classes.

Ms Howell said that once the centre had opened, activities could be tailored to need.

She said: "The building is going really well - the roof is on and people are watching it take shape.

"The emphasis will be on health so while it won't be just lettuce leaves and carrots, there won't be a deep fat fryer in our kitchen!"

For more information about the initiative contact Michaela on (01274) 431509 or e-mail michaela@cafewest.org.uk