The boss of one of Bradford's oldest Asian businesses has funded a cardiac hospital in Pakistan which will provide free healthcare to patients.

Mohammed Saleem, who owns Kashmir Crown Bakery which opened in Bradford in 1968, is the benefactor behind the hospital, which is due to open in September.

His son, Asim Saleem, who is a partner in the business, said: "It was my father's dream to have this hospital to help the poor and ill in Azad Kashmir. When the hospital is complete it should be able to treat up to a hundred people with heart related complaints.

"There is no facility like this in Azad Kashmir at the moment. Patients have to travel to Islamabad and Lahore, which is extremely difficult for them, especially as they are ill."

Mr Saleem Junior said the hospital was costing up to 80 million rupees (£1 million) and that funding was coming directly from the bakery.

"We hope to set up a trust afterwards which will keep the hospital going but at the moment all the money has come from us," he said.

Mr Saleem said the hospital had attracted the attention of other businesses in Bradford. He said: "People think it is a good idea and have expressed an interest in helping. We are hoping others will be inspired."

The bakery was opened by Mohammed Saleem, who came to England in the 1960s from a village called Bagh Sheri near Faisalabad.

He started off working in a Bradford mill, but before long he was working with his friend supplying fruit and vegetables.

He also worked as a driver delivering mitthai (Asian sweets) for the then restaurateur FD Farooqi, who went on to create the furniture business Ali Baba carpets.

When Mr Farooqi wound down the mitthai side of the business, Mr Saleem decided to strike out on his own.

In the first year of trading the bakery made £8,000.

Now its turnover is in the millions and sweets, savouries and other Kashmir Crown Bakery products are supplied all around the world.