Families struggling to set up home on a Bradford estate will be given a helping hand by their new neighbours.

A group of 15 women who live on the Ravenscliffe Estate have come together to set up the Helping Hands self-help shop. The store, which opens on Monday in a former florist's shop in Ravenscliffe Avenue, will act as a drop-in and advice centre and sell good quality second-hand furniture and clothing.

Between 9am and 4pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, it will offer help and support to people already living in Ravenscliffe and to new families who are housed on the estate by Bradford Council.

The service is the brainchild of Bernie Joseph, of the Ravenscliffe Disabled Group, and Mary Sanderson, of the Ravenscliffe Christian Fellowship, and will be staffed by volunteers from both organisations .

Bernie Joseph said: "We've families being moved onto the estate and they've literally got nothing with them - not a piece of furniture and barely any clothes.

"Mary and I decided that we should help them by showing that people living on this estate can help themselves.

"We haven't asked for any help from the council. This shop will be run entirely by the community for the community.''

Helping Hands will team up with the Newlands Furniture Service in Thorpe Edge, which provides affordable furniture, and operate a satellite service from Ravenscliffe Avenue. It will also rely on donations of money and good quality second-hand clothing.

Mary Sanderson said: "We are paying reduced rent for the shop and are just starting out with the donations we've already received. Whatever profit we make will be ploughed back to pay for things like a Christmas party for the residents, Easter eggs for children and day trips for the elderly."

Eccleshill ward councillor Peter Lancaster said: "This sounds like an excellent scheme.''