The internationally-renowned architect Lord Rogers of Riverside is helping Bradford Council draw up a blueprint for the future of the city centre.

Lord Rogers is responsible for designing high-profile, innovative projects such as the Millennium Dome, the Lloyds Building in London, the National Assembly for Wales Building in Cardiff, and the Pompidou Centre in Paris.

He will help to produce a design brief for a detailed vision of Bradford city centre's future.

One of the world's leading experts in design and urban planning, he is understood to be lending his services to Bradford for free.

Bradford Council's investment team manager, Mike Cowlam, said Lord Rogers was approached because of his leading reputation in design projects, particularly in inner-city areas.

Mr Cowlam said: "He will be setting the context for the design document, by preparing a proposed brief for consultants which highlights a number of key aims - including attracting modern shopping facilities, better transport links, improvements in road and rail corridors and a commitment to quality urban design.

"Lord Rogers will also take part in the selection of consultants.''

Mr Cowlam added: "I understand Lord Rogers isn't being paid for his role in Bradford, since he is lending his support rather than being actively involved.''

The consultant selection process will be launched after the draft Unitary Development Plan (UDP) has gone to the Council's executive committee for approval on Tuesday.

e