One of the top consultants in Europe could be coming to the Aire Valley to conduct a nine- month appraisal of how the area can be transformed into 'Silicon Valley'.

The move - which follows a similar scheme for Bradford city centre - is likely to cost half a million pounds.

It is part of a major plan to turn Steeton, Silsden, Keighley, Bingley, Saltaire, Shipley and Baildon into an international centre of research, development and production expertise for high-technology products.

The idea is part of Bradford 2020 vision and a partnership set up last year to move it forward has already seen a review of skills and training in the district, and the introduction of broadband internet to most of the area.

Now the Airedale Partnership, made up of councillors, business and education professionals, is asking regional development agency Yorkshire Forward for funding to develop a masterplan for the Aire Valley.

It is likely to hear by the end of the month whether Yorkshire Forward will fund the appraisal, which will see an extensive programme of research and consultation with residents, partnerships, organisations and businesses. If it does, the consultant could be appointed in April.

The study will look at how to attract businesses to the area and develop "an international reputation as a centre for research, development and production of high technology products, particularly in the field of e-commerce and e-leisure".

It will look at how best to attract and retain skilled workers and at the sustainability of the towns and villages which will support them. It will also look at environmental improvements to the valley, to ensure it remains a beautiful area.

Airedale Partnership chairman Councillor Simon Cooke said: "This will be a comprehensive look at the Aire Valley, in particular the three town centres of Shipley, Bingley and Keighley, in a similar way to what we have done in the city centre.

"This is good news for the area. It allows the valley to develop and step a little bit further into the limelight and have its own identity. It shows the council's commitment to Airedale as a centre for high technology."

He said this was an opportunity to identify the strengths of the district and build on them, while retaining the appeal of the Aire Valley in terms of countryside and open space.

"We need to look at the whole question of the engagement between the surrounding countryside and the valley, the villages and how they link into it," said Coun Cooke.

Coun Cooke said the public, local organisations, businesses and parish councils would be involved in the process, which was likely to start in June.