Funding has been awarded to 21 city health action and community groups under new allocation rules.

Members of the Bradford City Primary Care Group approved recommendations for the spending of local Health Action Zone money to improve a range of community health services in the area, with an estimated yearly cost of up to £272,600.

It is the first time the PCG has evaluated proposals since it took over responsibility from the HAZ Innovations group. Chairman of the PCG's Health Improvement Sub-Group, Dr Akram Khan, said it had been a difficult process but that a marking system had been developed to ensure a wide spread of projects across the area.

The schemes to benefit include mental health and drug abuse projects, help for Asian women and the elderly, and disability awareness schemes.

The PCG received nearly 60 applications for funding. PCG Chief Executive Lynette Throp said they would be talking to all applicants to assess health needs in the community.

She said: "It's very difficult when you have 60 bids in and even if an organisation hasn't been successful, we will be talking to them about the process."

The organisations now have to submit a working plan to get the projects up and running.

The newly-formed ASPIRE project, to raise awareness of Asperger's syndrome, is just one of the groups to receive £35,000.

The project will provide the first local help group for sufferers of the autism-related condition which can lead to anti-social and criminal behaviour if left untreated.

Consultant clinical psychologist Dr Shripati Upadhyaya said the cash was a major boost to help raise awareness of the syndrome which is often ignored.

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