A EUROPE-WIDE healthy eating campaign kicks off simultaneously in Bradford and six other European cites tomorrow.

The We Love Eating project involves seven cities across the continent and over the course of a year there will be numerous initiatives to improve people's health, mainly encouraging better eating habits and more exercise.

And if the pioneering scheme is successful, it could be held up as an example and emulated in countries across Europe.

The Bradford project is being run by several organisations including Born In Bradford, Shipley-based HALE (Health Action Local Engagement), Jamie's Ministry of Food and Forster Community College.

It is hoped more groups will sign up to help make the scheme a success story throughout the year.

Frances Holling, of HALE, said: “It’s going to be a big launch, there will be exercise sessions for people with disabilities and people will be offered health MOTs.

"We’ll be giving away resources for the campaign and there will be similar things happening at the same time all over Europe.”

Community groups, schools and families will be asked to make pledges as part of the project to make simple changes to their lifestyle - such as drinking more water, eating a more colourful range of fruit and vegetables and becoming more active.

Bradford, which was chosen was chosen because of its high levels of obesity and ethnic mix, is the only UK city involved in the pilot.

Its campaign will begin with simultaneous events in City Park and at Oastler Market, featuring free food and cooking demonstrations.

The Mayor of Bradford will be a guest at tomorrow's event, which runs from 12.30pm until 3.30pm and includes healthy food samples, cooking demonstrations, give-aways and information about the campaign.

On the same day, similar celebrations will be held in the other participating cities - Banská Bystrica in Slovakia, Cluj-Napoca in Romania, Deventer in the Netherlands, Granollers in Spain, Pozna? in Poland and Roncq in France.

The initiative, which is funded by the EU, will primarily target three specific groups most at risk of health problems due to poor eating - pregnant women, children and over 65s.