The search is under way for local talent to have its say on the rebirth of Bradford city centre.

The team behind the development wants professionals with experience of living and working in the city to help them breathe new life into it.

Bradford Centre Regeneration (BCR), a joint venture company set up for the task, has started advertising for local urban designers, planners, architects, engineers, landscape designers and legal experts to help draw up the plans.

The regeneration centres on an urban park which will inspire those who spend time in the city and also help attract new investment.

BCR is basing its vision for the city on a masterplan prepared by international architect Will Allsop.

Its advertisement for tenders is now calling on the "passion, support and ambition" of Bradford's professionals.

Sayeed Hafejee, operations manager for BCR, said: "We have a panel of consultants and we want to expand the skills base of that panel and bring in more local skills.

"We are at the delivery stage now and so can bring on board those consultants who can deliver it in an appropriate way."

The team is looking for between ten and 15 consultants who will be appointed for two years.

They will provide designs for the city centre and the technical advice to go with it.

Mr Hafejee hopes the panel could be in place by September. "We hope to appoint once we receive expressions of interest and go through the formal interview process," he said.

"People who know the area can help to bring forward the project through an understanding of the issues involved."

He is sure the talent needed to take the project forward exists in and around the city.

He said: "We have had a lot of interest already, and I would be surprised if we haven't had any applications in by the end of the week."

For further information go to www.bradfordurc.co.uk. All applications must be in by Friday, July 23.