Bradford is aiming to show the rest of the country how to become a united city.

An independent team is being appointed to spearhead a major review on race equality, with the backing of Home Secretary Jack Straw. The aim is to become a beacon district and demonstrate the way ahead to the rest of Britain.

A community seminar attended by the Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, Gurbux Singh, was the first step yesterday towards the district's biggest review ever to be held on race relations.

But it ran into controversy immediately because Bradford North MP Terry Rooney protested he and other MPs had not been invited.

Councillors also did not take part in the seminar, organised by Council Chief Executive Ian Stewart.

Council leader Councillor Margaret Eaton said it had been organised as a non-political event because it was felt the public attending the workshops should not be "led by the nose'' by politicians.

There will be separate meetings between the MPs and the Commission for Racial Equality.

The review team will talk to all communities of every race before coming up with plans.

Gurbux Singh told delegates he fully supported the initiative and would take a personal interest in it.

"Racial equality is entering a new era following the findings of the Stephen Lawrence enquiries and the strengthening of the Race Relations Act. Bradford has a unique opportunity to explore its racial equality needs in this new context and provide solutions which strengthen the workings of the district's diverse communities and act as a beacon to the rest of the country."

He told the Telegraph & Argus: "It is vital for political leaders to grasp the opportunity and support the review and have the will to ensure its recommendations are fully implemented."

The setting up of a new racial equality body for the city - following the collapse of Bradford's Racial Equality Council - will form part of the review but Mr Stewart says it will be far more widespread. He said: "Everybody I have spoken to from every community feels disadvantaged.''

Councillor Eaton said: "We want a large community working together with different points to bring to the table. We want a city and district which believes in itself."

Protesting at the absence of MPs at the seminar, Terry Rooney said he had been involved in race relations for 43 years and thought his experience would have been worth something.