A clinic for the mentally ill in Bradford has been earmarked for closure despite being praised in a national report.

The Horizon Clinic, based in the Highfield Health Centre on Tong Street, was set up two years ago to give people a place to go to discuss mental health problems.

Dr Alan Cohen, editor of a London-based charity which seeks to influence mental health policy, said the Bradford clinic had an "innovative and modern" way of providing care.

But funding, provided by a Bradford health trust, is due to be withdrawn from the service in March.

'Lessons learned'

Dr Angela Moulson, a GP at the health centre and member of the clinic, said staff dealt with issues like housing, alcoholism, and drug addiction.

She said: "Our job is to help them through these life crises, point them in the right direction, and get them going again.

"Although we are very disappointed that the clinic may not continue in its present form, we will be working closely with the Primary Care Trust (PCT) to ensure that the best possible service is developed for all our patients with mental health problems."

Chief executive of Bradford South and West PCT Dr Barbara Hakin said: "The Horizon Clinic was a pilot project in the PCT and we have learned many lessons from the experience.

"We are taking the best elements and lessons from the project to creatre a community-based mental health service which best serves the needs of all our patients.

"We will be investing extra money in mental health services this year."