Up to 13,000 babies could save Bradford millions of pounds in a proposed "real nappy" pilot scheme.

Parents in Keighley, are to be asked to use terry towelling nappies on their tots instead of disposables which cost the Council large amounts of cash to get rid of in landfill tax.

Last night's economic scrutiny committee decided to back the preparation of a business plan leading to the setting up of the multi-thousand-pound scheme.

Regeneration director Richard Willoughby will be asked what help the Council can give in the proposals.

Committee members were told Bradford Environmental Action Trust was prepared to give £40,000 to the pilot from landfill tax funds.

The European-funded Sure Start scheme in Keighley would also give £3,500 for the project.

The scheme - which would be extended across the whole district if it was successful - would also provide a laundry service.

Councillor officer John Bibby told the committee that about 19 million disposable nappies were used across the whole district each year.

He said a number of local authorities were now adopting schemes and Bradford Royal Infirmary's maternity unit supported a pilot scheme in principle.

Today Councillor David Ford (Green, Shipley West), who proposed at the Council meeting that the scrutiny committee should examine the pilot, said he was delighted with the step forward.

He added: "It has triple benefits. It can save the Council millions of pounds in landfill tax, it would help the environment and parents would benefit financially because disposable nappies are very expensive."