A community leader called today for top priority to be given to an action plan to help families in deprived Horton Grange, where unemployment is five times the Bradford average.

The appeal came from Mohammed Saleem Khan, co-ordinator of the Council for Mosques Day Centre in Great Horton.

It follows a survey in the area which revealed unemployment was running at 32 per cent compared with the city average of 5.9 per cent.

Mohammed Iqbal, manager of the Al Falah Community Centre, said he hoped that the local authority and central government would see the need for improvements.

"Something desperately needs to be done because it is a densely populated area with very high unemployment and language problems,'' said Mr Iqbal.

"It is a very, very, important area, close to the University, the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television and the Alhambra theatre.

"Many visitors drive through and it gives them their first impression of Bradford. It is important that action is taken quickly."

Bradford West Community Panel was expected to give the go-ahead to a regeneration plan when it considered the report today.

Members were being told Council directorates are already taking action and setting up initiatives to help the area.

But panel co-ordinator Mohammad Masood was due to recommend that the panel seeks external funding to draw up a comprehensive regeneration plan.

Horton Grange has not been included in a bid for millions of pounds cash from the Government's Single Regeneration Budget for nearby Manningham because it is outside the boundaries.

But the panel was being told there are serious problems, including overcrowding, crime, and low income families.

The survey found that many residents enjoyed the community spirit and wanted to continue to live in the area but felt improvements were vital.

Housing was high on the list of improvements the residents wanted. More than 60 per cent of the people in the area said they would be willing to help to make things better.

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