THE organiser of an annual well-being event in Bradford says the city has a "big problem" about the health of its population.

Professor Kailash Mohanty was speaking ahead of the Bradford Health Mela 2015, which is taking place on Saturday at the University of Bradford.

The aims of the event include providing free health checks and encouraging the community to live a healthy lifestyle and make use of appropriate resources.

"There is a big problem in Bradford with health," said Prof Mohanty. "We want to encourage people to know more about their own health."

High on the agenda, said Prof Mohanty, will be the Bradford district's problems with diabetes.

Prof Mohanty said he believed the condition was a major issue in Bradford, particularly among Asian communities.

"They can get so many complications from it because of a lack of knowledge and language barriers," said Prof Mohanty.

"We want to promote knowledge to help people and also to save money for the NHS."

Prof Mohanty used to work at Bradford Royal Infirmary, but now works in Bolton, Lancashire. He lives in Ilkley.

"I am still very much involved in local health issues," he said. "We want people to come to the event. It is about their health and well-being.

"We can do all sorts of tests, such as diabetes and cholesterol, and a proper health check, and there will be doctors present. There will be various stalls on different conditions. And everything is free."

"It is a very worthwhile event."

The Health Mela takes place at the university on Saturday from 11am to 3pm. It will be held at Student Central on Richmond Road and will be opened by Shipley MP Philip Davies. There will be free parking in front of Bombay Stores on Shearbridge Road.

There will be height, weight and BMI assessments, blood pressure check-ups, blood sugar and blood cholesterol testing, personal and confidential health counselling, massage, henna painting, and advice on healthy living, exercise, smoking and alcohol abuse.

There will be about 50 stalls with exhibitors providing advice and information. There will also be a Bollywood dance at 11am and a magic show at 1pm.