A Bradford green blighted by motorbikes and stolen cars is set to be developed after talks with local people.

People living near the Myrashay in Barkerend are to be canvassed at a neighbourhood forum meeting next month - to find out what they want the land used for.

The green, which lies over an old mine, is a common dumping site for stolen cars.

Last April a 13-year-old girl suffered a crushed leg when she was run over by two youths on a motorbike while she took part in a rounders game at Pollard Park Middle School.

Janice Thornton, Bradford Council's area manager for North Bradford, said cricket and football pitches were an option, though anything would be considered.

She said: "It's important that people come to the meeting so they can have their say. We are not presuming what people will choose. The Myrashay belongs to the people of the area."

Mrs Thornton said representatives from English Partnerships had visited the site and deemed it suitable for a grant if it was developed for community use. Parts of the green could be landscaped to make way for sports pitches.

Ward councillor Jean Ellison (Lab, Bowling) said she welcomed any money spent on facilities for the area's youngsters. But she warned the Myrashay would need to be properly managed to stop it being abused by vandals.

She said: "There's nothing for children to do around there, which causes problems.

"The Myrashay is close to the hearts of people but it would have to be properly managed because it is quite an open area."

Pollard Park Middle School headteacher Diane Adam agreed someone would have to be made responsible for the site.

"There have been fewer people riding bikes," she said. "But come the better weather I'm sure they will be back."

An eight-foot steel fence was erected around the school fields last summer after the 13-year-old was injured. And the school canteen was set alight three times after burning cars were rolled into the school grounds from the Myrashay.

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