Pioneering 'green' business parks are proposed for Bradford and Keighley, aimed at boosting jobs and creating a cleaner environment.

The parks would be part of a nationwide scheme run by the environmental regeneration charity, Groundwork UK and would follow the first projects in the West Midlands, the North West and Wales.

The organisation has been helped by Bradford Council to find suitable sites for a scheme and picked the Bowling Back Lane area in Bradford and the Dalton Lane site in Keighley as potential green business parks. About 150 businesses are occupying the Bradford site and there are 80 at Keighley.

Government regeneration agency Yorkshire Forward will fund a package of measures including environmental projects. They would include fitting state-of-the-art waste management schemes, security devices, access improvements, new signs and landscaping work.

Consultants have started a feasibility study of the two areas, which includes consulting existing businesses and agencies - including the Council - to identify priorities. They are also looking at ways in which waste created on site can be dealt with and opportunities for recycling most of it. The studies are expected to be completed before Christmas. Working groups will then be set up including businesses based in the two areas to oversee the improvements and look at ways of promoting good environmental practices.

Councillor Simon Cooke, executive member for regeneration said: "I am delighted that these two industrial areas have been earmarked as green business parks.

"The improvements would benefit businesses on both sites, their employees and customers as well as boosting jobs.