People power is set to score a victory in Manningham as a five-pronged action plan designed by residents to restore pride in the district gets under way.

Members of the Manningham Environment Group - formed by residents for residents - are set to tackle a variety of issues over the next 12 months as part of a drive to put Manningham back on the map and instil a sense of community pride in the area.

Sandra Mitchell, one of the coordinators of the scheme, said: "The environment group was originally formed by traders and residents in 1996 after we became fed-up with the bad press the district always seems to attract.

"We decided to do something about it for ourselves and now we're trying to get the message across to people that they can make a difference, no matter how small, if everyone bands together to help."

Now the group has come up with a shopping list of ideas as part of a community plan to improve the district.

Abdul Gulzar, a community and environmental worker for Bradford Community Environment Project, said: "After a survey of residents, we found out what issues bothered people most.

"Rubbish and litter was a major concern and that's what we want to tackle now - we have to educate people into thinking that if everyone who lives in the area picks up one piece of litter a day, then it really will make a difference. We also want to beautify the place, for example, by planting bulbs at the side of the road."

The group came to prominence last November when it successfully launched a traffic charter as part of an education campaign to encourage motorists to take more care when driving on the district's roads.

Anyone interested in joining the group, or who has any ideas, is welcome to attend the next meeting of the Manningham Environment Group, on Tuesday, at the Pakistan Community Centre at 7.15pm.

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