Bradford's construction industry is being urged to look closer to home to solve skills shortages.

A business conference next week will hear that firms could reduce the need to recruit from overseas if they give school leavers and the long-term unemployed a chance.

The Friday, March 23 meeting in Bristol will be attended by people from around the country.

To find out about the National Conference on Local Labour in Construction call Newton on (0117) 344 3102.