The chief executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals Miles Scott believes the most ambitious research project ever undertaken in the city will be a resounding success.

Born in Bradford is a birth study which will follow 10,000 babies born in the city in 2007 and 2008.

The aim is to find out the causes of childhood illness and, by involving parents, it will be able to explore the causes of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

While there have been other attempts to develop similar studies elsewhere in the UK, none have been as well supported as the Bradford study.

A strong partnership has been forged between NHS organisations, Bradford Council and University and links have been built up between other universities across the UK.

The people of Bradford will also have a major say on the direction the study takes as it follows the children as they grow up into adults. It is this strong base which has allowed this piece of vital research to get off the ground.

Mr Scott said that not only will the research pay health dividends but it would also unite health organisations.

"They way I see it is that we could do this individually, as an isolated piece of research that would be well worth doing and be an important contribution to research into childhood, pregnancy and families, " he said.

"But the beneficiaries would be people outside of Bradford and what we need to do is make sure it is piece of high quality research that is for the benefit of Bradford and that is why the partnership is so important."

"We are absolutely delighted that Imran Khan has launched the project, " said Mr Scott. "We really want to have a high-profile in the local community and maximise the benefits that come out of the partnership with social services, education, the universities and the PCTs.

"What that means in practise is that the academic researchers will undertake the work but the local community and key organisations will guide the project. They can help us make sure that we focus on things that are most useful to local people."

Mr Scott said it was important that Bradford people backed the project.

"Nothing on this scale has been attempted before, " he said. "Where people have tried smaller projects, people have shown a willingness to get involved.

"We know that local people have goodwill towards the hospital and other organisations and we know from a pilot project that if we put it to people in the right way they will not only go along with it but will also be positive about it."

A grant from the medical research council at the Department of Health and the European Commission has enabled the £3 million project to get off the ground. Institutions which give money for research projects will be approached to help and an appeal has been started to raise £1 million towards the cost.

"This is an exciting project that is genuinely ground breaking, " said Mr Scott.

"I think it will have great benefits for the local population not only in terms of their health but it is also going to put Bradford on the map in terms of academic work and study.

"I know how proud people are of their city and it is important that all the big organisations do what we can to promote Bradford and let people know what a great place this is and how much we have to offer."