Two Keighley GP practices are to help pilot a project offering slimming classes on prescription.

Ling House Medical Centre in Scott Street and Vale Street Surgery are among 14 practices across the district involved in the initiative. If successful the venture, aimed at tackling growing levels of obesity, will be rolled out to other sites.

Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust has launched the pilot scheme with Weight Watchers, Slimming World and MEND (Mind, Exercise, NutritionDo it!), a programme which works with children aged seven to 13 who are above their ideal weight. People with a weight problem and on low incomes who visit participating GPs could be given free vouchers enabling them to take part in 12 sessions at a local slimming class.

Any adult with a Body Mass Index over 30 - or over 28 for people with diabetes, high blood pressure or a health-related problem - will be considered for one of the programmes. Before anyone is referred to a class, they will be given a health check by their GP.

Nigel Hughes, senior public health manager for Bradford and Airedale tPCT, said: "Obesity is a huge issue nationally and is also one of our top health priorities in Bradford district.

"We believe this project will help people who have the greatest need to lose weight but may not be able to afford some of the conventional methods of support.

"The best way to lose weight is gradually and by making changes to your lifestyle, such as increasing your levels of activity and having a healthy diet."