Keighley people should ditch their cars and walk - that is the message of the Walking for Health project.

The Keighley-based scheme is one of four in the country - others are in Leicester, Walsall and Eastbourne. It aims to improve local health, the environment and social issues.

Keighley co-ordinator Neil West says: "Certain areas of Bradford have a high incidence of heart attacks - Keighley figures are fairly similar."

Walking can benefit this and reduce other health problems like strokes.

The British Heart Foundation and the Countryside Agency have each given £25,000 to the project. Keighley's SRB will grant a further £25,000 over three years, subject to funding.

The project wants to target those who do very little or no exercise.

Dr Ruth Gelletlie, who started the local project says: "Walking is one of those things people can start gently and work up to without doing anything that's particularly taxing."

Local environmental improvements are already under way.

Mr West explains: "We are improving the walking routes and infrastructure on East Avenue, between Lawkholme Lane and Skipton Road."

"We will try to respond to what people in these areas need," says Mr West.

Walking school buses - large orderly groups of children and adults walking to school together - are being suggested.

Dr Gelletlie enthuses: "Because the project is so innovative, we were asked to present it at the DETR Transport 2000 conference.

"We are unique in that we have a very broad inter-agency link."

Walking for Health wants local people and organisations to get involved. Ideas of footpaths to be improved, or walks in and around Keighley are welcome.

Guided walks will begin in April and May, continuing through the summer.

Mr West would like to see a revival of traditional local walks.

People used to walk from Keighley to Ilkley on a bank holiday, he says.

"We also want to challenge people to notice what they see walking that they don't see in a car," he adds.

Anyone with ideas for walks in and around Keighley should ring the Keighley News on 606611.

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