Residents are urged to come forward and help plan the future of Bradford before a huge public consultation debate at the end of the month.

Some people have already written to Bradford Council's Chief Executive Ian Stewart with their views of how the district should forge ahead up to the year 2020.

They include 23-year-old John Crewdson of Bierley Lane, Bradford, who has sent in a nine page letter with a vision of a future Bradford with an elected Lord Mayor and the metropolitan district dismantled to give the Aire-Worth region its independence."

Workshops and consultations have also begun with representatives of groups and organisations across the district taking part.

The ideas which emerge from the consultation will be used to draw up the district's 20-20 vision and a five year strategy from next year to 2005.

The priorities will be fighting crime, the economy and jobs, the environment and housing; health and social care, leisure and culture, education and strong communities.

Around 300 people will then be invited to a major public debate on the 20-20 vision campaign on September 30, which will be hosted by television broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald at the Stakis Hotel in Bradford city centre.

Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said: "We believe that if we are to have a genuinely shared vision of Bradford then we have to make sure that no section of the community is excluded and that we are getting a true reflection of the main views of local people. We therefore want to hear from as many people as possible.

"If everyone works together then I am sure that we will be able to create a better district.''.

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