Bradford's Training & Enterprise Council will leave a £750,000 legacy to the district when it closes on Friday.

Chief executive David Wilkinson announced the pay-out, which will fund computer training courses for businesses, on the eve of the organisation's merger with the region's other TECS. Now supervising a major winding down operation as the TEC prepares to join the West Yorkshire Learning and Skills Council (LSC), Mr Wilkinson, 62, had a positive parting message for the district.

"We'll be leaving a legacy to Bradford of nearly £750,000 for continuing computer training of employees," he said.

"Research has shown employers to be concerned about the levels of computer literacy, so this is a way to bid Bradford a fond farewell by making a substantial contribution to the community."

Since its inception in 1989 the TEC has notched up an impressive array of achievements. From its loftily placed headquarters in Mercury House, Jacob's Well, it has trained more than 45,000 people, around one tenth of the district's population, awarding 21,000 NVQs and securing jobs for 15,000 trainees.

It has also helped more than 500 local firms either achieve, or work towards, the prestigious Investor In People status.

Mr Wilkinson, from Baildon, expressed his delight at the decision to base the new body in Bradford. "It is a great pleasure to say that after a tremendous battle, led by the Telegraph & Argus with its Don't Kill Us Off campaign, the LSC will be up and running in Bradford by Monday," he said.

TEC chairman Howard Bell, the chief executive of Provident Financial in Bradford, stressed how important the decision was to the district. "Every one of the other TECs was fighting to have the LSC on its territory," he said.

A total of 74 TECs around the country will be replaced from Monday by the new LSCs and Small Business Services.

And while most TEC staff in Bradford will take up roles in the new body, the chief executive himself will be moving on to pastures new. Appointed in April 1997, Mr Wilkinson will only consider his next career step once his TEC duties have been completed.