People in Tyersal believe they are the forgotten folk of Bradford.

At the launch of a new strategy for the community, residents expressed their feelings of isolation.

Betty Waterhouse, a member of Sutton Community Association, said: "We are the forgotten area between Holme Wood, Newlands and Royds - areas which have received lots of funding recently. We are a close community in Tyersal, and proud of Tyersal, but we are a growing community which doesn't have enough facilities to cater for everyone."

A report outlining the needs and recommendations of residents was presented by Lorraine Nash, of the Community Capacity Building Project.

She told meeting of more than 50 residents: "The community has played a major role in helping me put this report together and we want this to be a living document which will have a part to play in Tyersal."

Parents expressed a "desperate'' need for a play area. Mother-of-three Karen Southwell, 38, of Beverly Street, said children had to play on the streets.

"All we want is a piece of land that's away from busy roads where they can go. We're desperate. We don't want any equipment - they'd be happy with a few loops painted on the wall."

Ideally they would like to develop land at the derelict site of Tyersal First School.

Councillor John Ryan (Lab, Bowling) praised the work that had gone in to creating the strategy. He promised to look into the situation regarding the school site, which has been earmarked for residential development.

Keble Ritchie, chairman of Jireh House, Fred's Place, off Sticker Lane, said the centre was due to undergo a £12,000 refurbishment and would soon be able to offer more facilities. "We want the community to join in and let us know what they want," he said.

Catherine Butler, headteacher at Fearnville Primary School, said people were welcome to use its new computers.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.