Youngsters from a Bradford estate have kicked off a healthy living initiative with the support of their football heroes.

The group of 12 to 17-year-olds from the city's Scholemoor estate are the first to take part in the "positive lifestyle" pilot scheme.

It brings together representatives from Bradford City Football in the Community, Toller Lane Police and Bradford Council.

The project uses positive role models to reinforce the anti-drugs, anti-crime and healthy living message. The aim is to involve teenagers and encourage them to become mentors for youngsters in their own area.

Bantams captain Stuart McCall said he fully backed the scheme. "It's a great way to get the message across. Involving yourself in crime, drugs, or a poor lifestyle is a slippery slope and certainly no way to get into football.''

Toller Lane Youth Project Officer, PC Tim Illingworth, said: "We are much more likely to get the message across through using something they are all interested in - football.

"Agencies like the police, Council and Bradford City can help by getting them interested and guiding them in the right direction.

"In time, the older teenagers can carry on the good work themselves by becoming positive role models for younger children."

Thirty youngsters got a taste of the Premiership lifestyle when they visited Valley Parade yesterday for a tour of the stadium.

Damian Staniforth, 16, said: "We all look up to professional footballers and are aware that to get to where they are we need to live a healthy and positive life."

Gavin Yates, also 16, added: "We've got the message that you shouldn't smoke, do drugs or get involved in crime. Hopefully, we can pass it on to some of the younger kids on the estate."

The pilot project - which may be adapted for other parts of the Toller Lane division in the future - was set up following a series of open days at a community centre.

The youngsters have already helped set up two football teams in the area. And they have even designed their own badge with the label 'Scholemoor - Just Do It'.

Former Bradford City striker Ian Ormondroyd, who now works for the club's Football in the Com-munity project, said: "Sitting these lads down in a classroom and telling them not to take drugs or drink doesn't have much impact.

"This is a more subtle approach. By becoming involved in the club they can see the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle, staying out of trouble and working hard."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.