Tenants have been told that they must sign up to a 'good neighbour charter' before they can move in to new homes.

The pioneering scheme, the first of its kind in the country, is designed to create old-fashioned community spirit on the new estate in Manningham, Bradford.

The 22 families - selected from more than 200 applicants - must sign contracts pledging to "know and support one another" and have "respect for different lifestyles".

They must also agree to give practical support for each other by carrying out neighbourly tasks such as child care and help with DIY tasks. Some residents have already agreed to carry out child minding for each other and others have offered to give their neighbours computer training.

The scheme is being hailed by the landlords, the Manningham Housing Association, as a national first - and has met with overwhelming success.

Anil Singh, chief executive of the Association (MHA), said: "It's all about creating a community with respect for each other and the surroundings.

"There has been a phenomenal response to the idea and we got more than 200 applications for 22 houses. These new houses provide large, affordable accommodation for unemployed, low income families.

"The people that were chosen said they felt like lottery winners and one woman described the scheme as a paradise.

"It's the first national plot of mutual aid in the country and there was some scepticism about whether it would work."

He said ideas suggested by residents included looking after each other's children, going shopping for each other, decorating and gardening.

The residents welcomed the scheme, brought in because the MHA had problems with some of its inner-city housing, including theft and vandalism. Azeem Shah, 39, a delivery man, who lives in a six-bedroom house on the complex with his wife and five children, said: "It almost feels like going back to the 60s when people had their own little communities and you knew your neighbours."

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