Green-fingered Bradford people have received a major boost with a £50,000 National Lottery grant.

The Bradford Community Environment Project has been granted the Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities Seed Award by the New Opportunities Fund.

The award is part of £5.4m in grants from the New Opportunities Fund which have been awarded across the region.

The grant will enable inner-city residents, including ethnic minority communities, children, and those with learning disabilities, to get involved with the group's Growing Places project.

The project aims to encourage the production of a diverse range of organic foods such as spinach, beans, coriander and sweetcorn which can contribute to a healthy diet.

It is also an opportunity for people to exercise and socialise.

Work will be carried out all over the city in places such as school grounds, waste land and gardens, with areas such as Manningham a particular focus for attention.

Sue Witmore, one of the project's community environment workers, said: "These schemes boost physical and mental well-being of local people as well as engaging residents in regeneration initiatives and food production.

"We're delighted that the New Opportunities Fund is backing our plan to widen these opportunities for local people.''

Gareth Durling, the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Officer for the New Opportunities Fund, said: "We are delighted to announce our support for some major new projects that will improve the quality of life of communities in this region.

"The projects given the green light demonstrate the real difference the fund can make to local people's lives.''