A major survey in a deprived part of Bradford is taking place as a regeneration board works out a multi-million pound improvement programme.

Some housing conditions in Leeds Road and Barkerend were condemned as not being fit for animals before the Government allocated £25 million from its Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) to bring better conditions and jobs for hard-up families.

The houses to be surveyed - about 1,000 - have been picked at random, and the state of repair of the privately-owned or rented houses will be fully assessed.

A face-to-face social survey will also be carried out. People will be asked what kind of houses they need and how present housing may be affecting their education and health. Residents whose houses are not picked are also able to give their views through postal questionnaires.

Families will also be able to take part in discussion groups about the regeneration programme from March 18 to 31. There is a limited number of places still available at the meetings in community centres in the area. Information is available on freephone 0800 3767172 and people can also give their views not later than March 15.

Surveyors Faithful and Gould are inspecting properties and Pickersgill Consultancy and Planning will interview people about their housing needs.

Board chairman Mohammad Shaukat said it would consider the outcome and decide how to develop a programme of home improvements.

But he said the funding was being ploughed into six priorities - economy and jobs, housing and environment, learning and skills, building communities, health and social well being and community safety.

"We want people to realise it doesn't all go to housing and has to be shared," he said.

REGEN 2000, which is administering the SRB programme, has written to families telling them the surveyors will have identity badges and cards and police know the survey is taking place.

Anyone with concerns or queries can ring REGEN 2000 on (01274) 435381.