UNSUNG heroes have been honoured at an awards ceremony in Bradford celebrating the city's dedication to improving lives of others.

It was the first awards night held by the Centre for Politics & Public Participation which recognised the achievements of 24 people.

The ceremony at City Hall tonight was introduced by the organisation's Chief Executive Officer Dayal Sharma MBE, who set up the group to encourage people from disadvantaged backgrounds to get involved in political, civic and public life.

Among the award winners were Andy Welsh, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Bradford College; Britain's first Asian Lord Mayor Mohammed Ajeeb CBE; Bana Gora, who is Chief Executive Officer of the Muslim Women's Council, and Dr Sulleman Moreea, a consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Bradford Royal Infirmary, who as well as helping liver patients in Bradford has also helped set up pioneering endoscopy units on a Caribbean island.

Mr Sharma said: "The award winners all come from a diverse background but what they have in common is the dedication to make the lives around them better.

"Without people like them our city and country would be worse off.

"We hope that by celebrating these unsung heroes they will realise how much their hard work is valued by us."