by Chris Holland Business Reporter Chancellor Alistair Darling heard some Bradford straight talking when he met business leaders in the city on Friday.

They grabbed their chance to let him know their reaction to his emergency budget and update him on the issues facing local firms.

And he’s not heard the last of them. Both Bradford Chamber of Commerce and regeneration chief Coun Adrian Naylor are following up the face-to-face exchanges at the Great Victoria Hotel in Bradford with letters to outline key points on which they want to see action.

The top issue covered with the Chancellor was the lack of bank lending following the bail out of several leading banks.

Mr Darling promised to “sort out the banks” and said measures would be announced this week.

Sandy Needham, the chamber’s chief executive, said business leaders had welcomed the chance to put their points directly to the Chancellor and praised him for coming to meet them.

She said: “He was left in no doubt that the big issue is bank lending, or the lack of it.

“It was made clear that now he had a direct stake in the banking sector he should ensure the flow of capital is maintained and improved.

“The Chancellor was keen to hear specific examples of issues facing businesses and has taken details back with him to the Treasury.

“We will be watching carefully to see if our discussions have any bearing on future actions.”

Coun Adrian Naylor, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, said everyone had been “batting for Bradford.”

He had urged the Chancellor to make more funds available directly to the council and allow it the flexibility to spend on local initiatives to boost the economy.

Coun Naylor said: “I quoted our success with the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative which has exceeded targets and attracted a second tranche of Government funding.

“Our LEGI programme is the most important in the country and has enabled us to support new enterprises and create jobs through local initiatives.

“More funding on these lines would be a good way to help the local economy ride out the recession.”