A ground-breaking project team, set up to tackle health problems, is back in a Bradford community with a new base after it was forced to move out following a fire.

And the West Bowling Community Health Action Project has identified ten areas of action to combat illness in the area following a survey of 300 local people.

Depression and stress-related problems were found to be the most common conditions linked to poor quality of life due to poverty, poor housing and a dismal environment.

A series of initiatives to meet local people's concerns was set up to promote better health and the project has been given a boost with the opening of a base in Gaythorne Road after the team was forced to quit premises in Ryan Street because of a fire two years ago.

Drop-in sessions for people with general concerns about health have been set up alongside other ventures ranging from arts groups and exercise classes to tips on gardening and craft sessions to give people new horizons.

Other projects in the pipeline include action on drugs to meet growing local concern about drug use in the area.

Manager Amanda Fletcher said the project had been forced to move to Saltaire after the fire.

"During this time we have continued to work with the local community in West Bowling but it has been difficult not having a base here," she said.

"The new premises will reinvigorate our local activities and help set up new initiatives with and for local people."

Community development health worker Margaret Munyard said it was important to get to grips with people's concerns.

"People feel alienated in communities for all sorts of reasons including isolation, drugs, housing, pollution and litter. What we are hoping to do is improve the quality of people's lives.''

Anyone who would like to know more about the project can call 227580.

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