The rich transport heritage in Keighley will put the Bradford district in the driving seat to become the European Capital of Culture, according to a local travel expert.

Graham Mitchell, former chairman of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, believes attractions such as the world-famous heritage railway, Vintage Carriages Trust and Keighley Bus Museum will boost Bradford's bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2008

Mr Mitchell told fellow members of the Bront Country Partnership that he was also keen to ensure the Keighley area was fully included in the bid made by Bradford.

He has joined Keighley MP Ann Cryer, Caroline Schwaller from Keighley Voluntary Services and Sangat Centre manager Khadim Hussain on the partnership board for Bradford's bid.

Mr Mitchell said: "They are looking for a niche market in the bid and transport, particularly heritage transport, hasn't been covered.

"Looking at the competition in places such as Belfast, Birmingham, Newcastle and Milton Keynes, it is fair to say there's no heritage transport in those areas.

He added: "One of the remaining issues that people from Keighley did comment on was that the structure of the bid seemed to be very city-centred, without other parts of the district getting as much representation and input as would be desirable."

He added: "I have been asked to see the executive board in ten days time to see what parts of Keighley we can develop and include in the bid."

Bids must be in by March

l A design incorporating books and hills is to become the logo of the Bront Country Partnership

The partnership, made up of 18 local businesses and tourist attractions, has decided on a distinctive new logo that combines the image of three books that also resemble hills with the sun bursting through in the middle.

It was decided unanimously that the design, submitted by the Bradford-based agency Duloy Seymour, should be used.