A Bradford charity supporting HIV/Aids patients has been saved from closure after a new board was elected.

Pennine Aids Link seemed doomed to close in January after failing to win a £52,000 grant from Bradford Council's voluntary grants scheme.

But under the leadership of a new management team the organisation has relaunched, with plans to expand therapeutic services for patients.

"We're all new to the organisation and we aim to learn from mistakes in the past," said Mark Taylor, the new chairman of the board. "Resources are more limited now, because we help more than 30 clients and their families, and have funding of £77,000 a year instead of over £100,000. At one time there were only a handful of clients."

He said PAL had faced criticism in the past for poor management and for some of its spending decisions.

"We are drawing a line under the past. The new board is the most professional PAL has ever had and we all have a business background," he said.

Negotiations are under way with the funders - Bradford Health and Bradford Council - and in future, Mr Taylor said, funding will be on a 'contract' basis.

"Our funders want a contractual relationship in future. We are happy with this because it will mean that we know what we have got to achieve," he added.

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