Kathleen Burns says she used to be jealous of the pigeons walking about Shipley.

For the 57-year-old, who suffers from osteoporosis and arthritis, could not walk unaided and was bent double in agony because her hips had virtually worn away.

But now, after four years' pain, the mother-of-five has been given a new lease of life thanks to four operations and help from Bradford Council's b-active campaign which encourages people to get fit.

Mrs Burns, of Central Avenue, had a double hip-replacement operation followed by surgery on each hand to cure carpal tunnel syndrome - which causes tingling and numbness in the fingers.

"I feel like a new woman, it's amazing," she said. "I would go and do my shopping on my mobility scooter and when I saw the pigeons waddling around I would think 'even they can walk better than me'.

"But now I've grown two inches and have no pain at all." She works out every week at the Bingley baths' gym and is having swimming lessons with a fitness and health instructor.

"It's made me feel years younger and I'm so grateful for all the help I've been given," said Mrs Burns.

She is weight lifting and stretching to keep her body in shape and improve her rehabilitation.

Her GP referred her to Simon Rowlands, a senior health promotion specialist for BEEP (Bradford Encouraging Exercise in People), which is working with the b-active campaign.

He said it was essential patients carried on looking after themselves after being discharged.

"Lack of exercise is the biggest risk to our health and 80 per cent of people are not doing any or enough exercise," said Mr Rowlands.

"Kathleen is making progress and the most important thing is that she keeps it up. Health and fitness is the most important thing in our lives and I can't stress that enough."