Bradford will become the first British city to appoint a "peace ambassador" whose remit would be to bring communities together in harmony.

Bradford Vision - made up of representatives from the district's leading organisations - is about to advertise for a Director of Community Cohesion to undertake the vital role.

Sharmila Gandhi, 35, who took over this week as Vision's new £75,000 a year chief executive, said the Government had made it clear it was keen to see an appointment take place in Bradford.

Mrs Gandhi said Vision may also consider the alternative of using a consultancy to do the work - but she would prefer a full time officer who would also be available for the public.

Bradford's new peace maker will co-ordinate action plans produced by the Council, Police, Health Authority and other major organisations following the riots last summer and the damning Ouseley report into the district's race relations.

Today the move was welcomed by Lord Ouseley, former chairman of Commission for Racial Equality, who produced a hard-hitting report into Bradford's problems last July. By coincidence, the report's publication came just days after the worst main land rioting in Britain for 20 years hit Bradford.

Lord Ouseley said: "The Government is encouraging partnerships and programmes, particularly where there were serious disturbances last year.

"The more we can do to give people the sense of coming together as a community the better it will be for everyone."

Chairman of Bradford Vision, Councillor Margaret Eaton said the co-ordinator would be acting in the role of a "peace ambassador."

She added: "It will be about everything which comes within the Ouseley report and not just the inner city. It is about working together to a positive future."

A Home Office spokesman said: "We welcome Bradford's commitment to community cohesion."

West Yorkshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Greg Wilkinson said: "The notion of community cohesion is completely in line with the work suggested by Lord Ouseley. We support it and will do what we can to play our part."

Mrs Gandhi, who came to Bradford Council as the district's first head of community safety, later became head of the Chief Executive's office before her new appointment.

She said: "One of the biggest issues is going to be tackling crime and disorder and my background is going to help enormously.

"It is not just a police issue. All agencies must tackle the underlying problems. The onus is on everybody."

The other major job for Bradford Vision will be the administration of a £7.3 million award to the district from the Government's Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

Vision will work with Bradford Council, which is accountable to the Government, and discussions are taking place on how to proceed.

The appointment of the director of community cohesion would be funded by the Vision Partnership but it is understood there may also be Government contributions.