A keen runner is calling on Bradford's religious leaders to help people in the district get fit.

Solicitor Aurangzeb Iqbal, who lives in Pudsey and works in Bradford, hopes to introduce a ten-mile run in the city in October. He wants local Muslims to take up his challenge and Imams to spread the word about it.

Leading by example, he is set to run the Flora London Marathon on Sunday.

He said: "There is a high level of heart disease and diabetes as people do not work off the rich food they eat. The situation is getting worse and could soon be out of control. I am hoping that announcements in mosques, beginning from tomorrow, will inform people that they should exercise.

"I want people to gradually build up their fitness starting by walking to and from the mosque instead of driving. Hopefully, children will turn up with parents and will walk or run to prayer. Praying is intended to involve exercise in Islam."

Bradford businessman Mohammed Zaman, Choudry Shaffi, Zulfiqar Rana and Rehmat Malik Awan have each offered £500 to sponsor two Imam priests in the proposed ten-mile race. Mr Iqbal is now seeking support for the run from leading city figures such as Council members and chairmen of sports clubs. He also intends to involve the British Heart Association, British Diabetes Association and the Bradford Hospital Trust.

"If we can get community leaders involved, and get them to take the lead in this project in Bradford, we could make this an annual event which will be good for the city as everyone will work together," he said.

Mohammed Shaffi, Imam of the mosque in Bradford Moor, is one of the priests being sponsored and welcomed the initiative.

He said: "This is a very positive step as it will be effective for health. It is also a good sign that we are all getting involved with the project as it is a chance to bring different communities together in recent times of trouble."

Khaeim Hussain, of Bradford Council for Mosques added: "Aurangzeb Iqbal is a well established character. Anything that can help people to work together has to be appreciated."

A Bradford Health Authority spokesman said: "Any activity which encourages people to safely take more exercise is good news.

"Regular exercise is an important part of staying healthy and can help to avoid serious illness like coronary heart disease and cancer. Taking about 30 minutes exercise a day, eating a balanced diet with at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and not smoking go a long way towards improving health."