Internet guru Rob Wilmot has backed Bradford to become a major player in the new media world at the launch of a promotion drive.

The co-founder of Freeserve, who until recently still lived in the Bradford area, admitted the district had been overlooked in the past for its hi-tech potential but said it had always possessed a workforce capable of propelling the area forward.

Mr Wilmot, who is a University of Bradford graduate, was keynote speaker at yesterday's Bmedia conference showcasing the best of Bradford's talent in the software, media and hi-tech industries.

He said: "Bradford has been overlooked in the past, but that is changing.

"You have people who have studied here and come out of the university but there are a number of undergraduates who are local and live in the area.

"Bradford has always had the talent in these industries and I believe it is forward looking enough to be able to use them.

"That's what Bmedia is about - bringing the people together and talking about the collaboration that can, and does, happen." Mr Wilmot left Freeserve, the UK's biggest internet service provider, in April after it was sold to French rival Wanadoo.

He said: "I am working on a few incubator projects, including a record label I own, and I often draw on Bradford resources to develop these.

"I keep an eye on what is developing in the area and hopefully I will be working with some companies here in the future."

The Bmedia group comprises the University of Bradford, Bradford Council, Bradford College, a range of companies and the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television where the launch took place.

Other speakers included the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq; Susan Johnson, director of business at Yorkshire Forward; and Dr Bob Gomersall, chairman of Yorkshire Forward's Digital Cluster Board.

Bmedia chairman Richard Fennell, of software house Black Marble, said: "Our aim is to establish Bradford in people's minds as a centre of excellence in new media, and there's no doubt that it is."