A new £70million organisation that will care for people with mental health problems and learning difficulties in Airedale and Craven was unveiled this week.

The Bradford and District Care Trust was formally launched at a ceremony in Bradford.

The new organisation, created as one of only four flagship care trusts nationally in April, has taken over mental health services currently managed by Airedale NHS Trust, Bradford social services and the former Bradford Community Health NHS Trust.

The aim of the new trust is to improve on the links between health workers in the NHS and social services staff, and provide a more focused service for patients.

Although the new care trust's headquarters are based in Saltaire, services will continue to be provided locally at centres such as Airedale Hospital.

Chairman Linda Pollard says: "The creation of a care trust for the people of Bradford, Airedale and Craven opens up huge opportunities for the district.

"We want to make sure we seize these opportunities and really begin to make a difference to people's lives.

"We must aim to reap the benefits of being at the forefront of innovation and change.

"The care trust has a golden chance to help shape the future direction of health and social care nationally."

The care trust will manage more than 2,000 staff and will serve 550,000 people living in an area of almost 600 square miles, stretching from Bradford to Ribblehead in the Dales.

A series of roadshows are being planned to roll-out the opening to all parts of the district, including Airedale.

Mental health care trusts have been introduced as part of the government's modernisation of the health service.