A major scheme is under way to boost the number of new businesses in Bradford and create a more entrepreneurial culture.

The move, spearheaded by Bradford Chamber of Commerce and Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency, is timed to coincide with Enterprise Week 2005, an initiative begun by the Treasury last year.

Latest figures show that 11.5 per cent of Bradford businesses were new enterprises compared to 10.7 for Yorkshire as a whole. Another survey showed Bradford having the highest start-up rate in Yorkshire.

Enterprise Nation, a report from the British Chamber of Commerce published this week, said businesses were struggling to survive in some disadvantaged communities characterised by crime, high unemployment, low aspirations and poor educational achievement.

It said greater enterprise could help spearhead regeneration.

Richard Wightman, president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: "Chambers of Commerce are already major players in entrepreneurial support and finding out what businesses need. This report provides examples of both the challenges and opportunities facing companies today.

"It illustrates just what is being done in some places to address difficulties in local communities, and what drag-factors companies are facing. A number of activities are happening this week to coincide with and support Enterprise Week throughout the district."

About 50 students aged 13 to 15 at Thornton Grammar School have been taking part in a series of sports-related workshops along with dozens of others at Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium to develop a "can-do" attitude to enterprise.

"We created a highly interactive day motivating the students to be enterprising and turn their ideas into reality," said Bob Jones, of Education Bradford. "To encourage healthy competition, prizes were awarded for the best idea in each workshop."

Yorkshire Forward marked Enterprise Week with a business breakfast as the prelude to dozens of events across the region expected to be attended by more than 10,000 people.

Speaking in Leeds, Yorkshire Forward chairman Terry Hodgkinson called for companies and schools in the region to work more closely together to encourage young people into business.

Mr Hodgkinson said that, as a schoolboy, he received no encouragement from his own teachers to set up his business - but did so nonetheless.