Keighley people are being urged to walk their way to health in the first campaign of its kind in the country.

The town has been chosen to pilot a new initiative by the British Heart Foundation and the Countryside Commission.

And this week, in another unique move, the town's Muslim community was encouraged to follow the example of the prophet Mohammed and walk to prayers at the mosque in Emily Street.

The British Heart Foundation and the Countryside Commission have set aside £50,000 for measures to make walking safer in Keighley and launch a promotional campaign. Further funding for the trailblazing project could come from the town's £18.7 million Single Regeneration Budget fund.

Walking the Way to Health is likely to involve improvements around the town for pedestrians such as wider paths and more street lighting.

Keighley was chosen after the Countryside Commission asked Bradford Transport and Health Group to devise a national demonstration project. Bradford district was chosen because of its success with inter-agency projects and status as a Health Action Zone.

The project will be dovetailed with proposals for traffic improvements in Keighley town centre, which are expected to be approv-ed by Bradford councillors next week. (See our story on page 3.)

Frank Taylor, area organiser for the British Heart Foundation, says the project is just one way the charity encourages walking. He says: "We will do anything to promote walking because it's one of the most straightforward, cheapest and easiest ways to stay fit. About 20 minutes of brisk walking three or four times a week is sufficient exercise to keep the heart healthy for most people. Walk the dog, walk to the shops, use stairs instead of a lift, or park the car half a mile from work and walk in."

The call to the Muslim community to walk to their mosque is designed to help solve traffic problems and reduce pollution in the Lawkholme area. The plea was made to thousands of men gathered at the mosque on Tuesday to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr - the end of the fasting period of Ramadan.

The Imam, Syed Basharat Hussain - the leader of the local Muslim community - told those present that in order to make the area around the mosque safer and more pleasant to live in, they should follow the example of the prophet Mohammed.

Keighley Muslim Association spokesman Javed Bashir told the Keighley News there have been growing problems in the area. "Mohammed used to walk to the mosque for prayers and so the Imam says we should follow his example," he says. "There has been heavy traffic, particularly on a Friday. We are now going to try to solve the problem."

He says leaflets will be given out and posters will be displayed around the community asking people to walk to the mosque. Youngsters attending additional education classes will also be encouraged to walk and not to rely on parents to give them a lift.

Javed, wishing all Muslims a happy Eid Mubarak, says a mini-bus will be provided for those living further away.

Celebrating Eid, page 7

Opinion, page 10

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