The creators of a new Bradford-based Urdu and English magazine are hoping it will build bridges between the city's communities.

The literary journal Tadeeb International, which has contributors from all over the world and is put together in Bradford, has been awarded £23,000 by Arts Council England.

Editor of the Urdu section Hameed Qaiser said: "We are trying to build bridges between communities so that they can understand each other. We are one people, we are the same, but we do not communicate with each other.

A published writer, Mr Qaiser, 45, was employed by the Ministry of Education in Pakistan to work for a group that looks after the country's writers, poets and academics.

He moved to Bradford from Lahore six years ago.

Mr Qaiser said: "I am surprised that people have lived in Bradford for more than 40 years and have never been in an English club, or pub. Our religion does not stop us from visiting places.

"When I came here I felt the people who had moved here years ago had become so busy earning a living they had neglected to teach their children about their heritage. I felt there should be a magazine about Pakistani arts, culture, literature and poetry."

English section editor Helen Goodway, 56, said: "As far as we know this is a unique attempt at presenting the two cultures to each other.

"From the English point of view it is very important for people to understand the background to Urdu literature and how wide-ranging it is."

Miss Goodway said Tadeeb was in the top 20 quarterly magazines to have made the greatest contribution to literature by the Ink Writers Society.

The magazine is eager to hear from young writers who wanted to contribute to both sections of the journal.

For more information or to submit a story contact Helen Goodway on (01535) 606554, write to 14 North View Street, Keighley, BD20 6AD, or e-mail tadeebuk@hotmail.co.uk