Some of the most vulnerable workers in Bradford - some earning as little as 50 pence an hour - have won protection under a new health and safety scheme.

Campaigners from the West Yorkshire Homeworking Unit have spent a year trying to find and help isolated home workers who are working for 'slave wages', packing greetings cards and sewing clothes.

They have succeeded in helping 45 people but know that is just the tip of the iceberg.

More than 250 items of health and safety equipment have been distributed free to people working at home, doing mainly sewing and packing work.

The scheme was a joint effort between the West Yorkshire Homeworking Unit and the Manningham and Girlington Regeneration project.

Outreach worker Jill Lyttle made health and safety assessments at each person's home, then delivered free equipment, including operators' chairs, lamps, power breakers, sewing machine guards and first aid kits.

"Most of the homeworkers I visited were on a low income, and could not afford to buy basic tools to carry out their work safely," said Mrs Lyttle.

"Homeworkers were using blunt scissors, for example, and using unsuitable seating or poor lighting. The equipment we have provided has helped reduce the risk of accidental injury and long-term damage to health."

The scheme made contact with homeworkers in the Manningham and Girlington areas through publicity leaflets and posters.

"Homeworkers tend to be 'hidden' and we are very pleased so many people came forward after seeing the publicity leaflets and posters," said Catherine Portman, Homeworking Projects Co-ordinator at the unit, which is part of the Yorkshire and Humberside Low Pay Unit.

"We were able to help 45 homeworkers. They are some of the most vulnerable people in the labour market, and may be unsure of their employment rights and feel isolated."