A GROUP is being set up in Ilkley to raise money for lifesaving research into heart disease.

The British Heart Foundation is calling on people in the town to join the new group to help fight the condition.

More than 57,000 people across the Bradford district are fighting a daily battle with heart and circulatory disease. Each year the devastating conditions claim the lives of around 1200 people in Bradford.

The foundation says every pound raised from its fundraising groups will go towards paying for vital research and identifying new treatments that could help save lives.

Howard Allen, who lives in Ilkley, has already started volunteering and is looking forward to being part of the Fundraising Group.

He said: "I had a heart attack in 2001 and then was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation in 2008; it was such a shock as I was healthy and a non-smoker, having completed three London Marathons in my time. I wanted to support the BHF and give back. I am looking forward to being part of the local Ilkley Fundraising Group as well as also being a local volunteer speaker, sharing my story to help to raise awareness about the vital lifesaving research the BHF supports."

Sue Green Fundraising Manager for West Yorkshire said: "We are delighted to have Howard volunteering with us. By signing up to your local fundraising group you can help us fund the research that’s so desperately needed to bring us closer to beating heart disease. Together we can save more lives. It’s also a fantastic way to meet new people and make a real difference in your community."

The charity says its research has helped halve death rates from heart and circulatory disease over the past 50 years. It is hoping to fund half a billion pounds of new research over the next five years.

For more information visit www.bhf.org.uk/localfundraising or contact Sue Green, by emailing greens@bhf.org.uk or calling 01274 548324.