EFFORTS to improve areas across the Bradford District have been given a boost after 15 new Neighbourhood Officers were recruited.

Bradford Council’s Neighbourhood Service recruited the staff to support local communities.

The localised service’s officers collaborate with residents, Councillors and MPs, community organisations and other council departments to "identify priorities and design tailored solutions."

Five offices cover the whole district - Bradford South, East, West, Shipley and Keighley.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "The new officers’ work will typically involve community development and advocating for residents with service providers and utilising local assets, skills and resources to improve each area.

"They will support business forums to grow local economies and set up health and wellbeing groups to help local residents to stay fit and active."

Jason Longhurst, Strategic Director of Place, said: “This is a significant boost to this highly localised and flexible service which delivers significant benefits to local people.

“The new staff have already hit the ground running. They have joined established teams who all work towards bringing a wide range of people and assets together to dramatically improve the quality of life in our local neighbourhoods.”