More than £1 million will be spent improving life in Highfield over the next year.

The first full year of regeneration work in the area will be funded with £647,500 of government cash and £408,500 from other sources.

Around £150,000 will be spent on "quality of life" projects, such as crime fighting, play schemes, youth work, lighting, a "community chest" and a community centre. Up to £500,000 will be spent on the first phase of an ambitious improvement programme for private houses.

A further £125,000 will be spent on environmental improvements around the rundown area, and £30,000 will go on setting up a regeneration office.

Officers will be recruited to oversee housing and environmental schemes, as well as a new nursery nurse and Asian women's worker.

The details are revealed in a draft delivery plan for the next financial year of Highfield's £4 million Single Regeneration Budget programme.

Most of the first year, until this month, has been spent establishing working groups and planning the remaining three-year programme.

The delivery plan reveals a set of milestones that must be achieved each quarter over the next 12 months.

It also shows objectives for the year such as creating five new jobs, improving 150 children's educational attainment, promoting 270 young people's personal development and getting 1,000 people to use improved sports and community facilities.

The next year should also see measures to reduce the running costs of 100 houses and upgrade security in 100 homes. Over the full four-year SRB programme the government will give £4 million to Highfield.

Other funding is expected from Bradford council (£286,000), National Lottery Charities Board (£100,000), voluntary sector (£150,000), New Opportunities Fund (£50,000) and C2M fund (£30,000).

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