Women in Bradford should do more exercise to reduce their risk of cancer, a survey has shown.

The poll, carried out for Cancer Research UK and Tesco, found only 18 per cent of Northern women reached the Government recommendation of exercising at least five times a week for 30 minutes.

Nationally, only one in five women reach the target and most women exercise less than three times a week. One in four never do any exercise at all.

Dr Lesley Walker, director of cancer information for Cancer Research UK, said: "It is very worrying that such a large proportion of British women take less than the recommended amount of exercise, or no exercise at all.

"This could lead to serious health problems in the future."

Researchers funded by the charity at Bristol University have found regular exercise can cut the risk of bowel cancer by up to 50 per cent and might help prevent breast, lung and womb cancer. The investigations found exercise could help recovery from cancer.

Dr Chris Bradley, medical oncologist at Bradford Royal Infirmary, said not many people had got the message that exercise can prevent cancer. "It's not as common knowledge as other things," he said.

Dr Bradley said there was a much greater awareness of the dangers of smoking and its links to cancer, but not the benefits of a healthy diet and exercise.

He said these were beneficial not just in fighting cancer but also heart disease.

"One of the messages we want to get across is that all forms of exercise are equally as good," he said.

"The only way it works for most people is by making it part of everyday life."

Dave Gillett, general manager of Fitness First at Horton Park Avenue, Bradford, said there had always been a majority of female members of the gym.

"The main reason women join is to tone up - for weight loss," he said. "I think everybody these days seems very concerned about their health."

The research was to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Race For Life, Cancer Research UK's 5km fundraising event for women.

The Telegraph & Argus Bradford Can...Cancer Research Appeal has raised £1 million for investigations into cancer in Bradford. Cancer Research UK will put another £5 million into the work.

To enter Race For Life, call the hotline on 08705 134314 or log on to www.raceforlife.org.