A community health project aiming to improve people's environment and lifestyle has celebrated its tenth anniversary.

West Bowling Community Health Action Project began in 1993 to tackle health inequalities in the area by focusing on social and economic factors.

Since then it has set up groups for various sections of the community, produced reports about what was needed to improve health and worked on plans for a new neighbourhood centre.

Amina Galaria, project co-ordinator, pictured with volunteer Mumtaz Waheed, said the scheme had been successful at empowering local people. "We are very proud of the project's achievements," she said. "It is encouraging people to get involved with their own community and they set up the activities they want."

Activities run by the project have included allotment groups, a fruit and vegetable co-operative, aromatherapy and reflexology, walking groups and exercise and dance classes.

Mrs Galaria said improvements in the health of people in the area were beginning to be seen, with levels of coronary heart disease dropping recently.

Figures from 1999 to 2001 showed Bradford City Teaching Primary Care Trust - which covers the West Bowling area - had the lowest life expectancy and highest infant mortality rate in Yorkshire and the Humber.

The electoral wards in the trust's area were also the most deprived in the district.

Mrs Galaria said concrete results would take years to come through but the change in attitudes could already be seen.

"Ten years ago health was the GP's or the health authority's responsibility but I think what's happened now is health is on everyone's agenda."

The project is currently based in Gaythorne Road but could move into a new Neighbourhood Centre in 2006.

Initially it was funded by the City Challenge scheme but is now supported and managed by Bradford City PCT. Graham Moore, public health lead for the trust, said the project was valuable and something Bradford should be proud of.