Leaders are shown city in a nutshell

The crash course in local knowledge aims to give leaders an instant overview into how Bradford works, what are the main issues facing the city and a chance to speak to some the key people working here

Common Purpose, which has organised the programme, arranged for the nine leaders to visit the Council, the Telegraph & Argus, Lister Mills, Bradford Trident, Manningham Housing Association, Ripple Drug Services and the Bangladeshi Community Association in Keighley.

Common Purpose Bradford regional director Claire Bennett explained that the course was specifically targeted to those leaders who may be new to the area or new to their role.

"People say it really helps them. One person said: 'This has probably saved me about 25 years in the job'," said Mrs Bennett.

One of the people taking part in the course was the Dean of Bradford, the Very Reverend David Ison, who has been working in Bradford for the past five months.

"It really helps you to gain a much greater insight into how the city works and what are the major issues facing the district," he said.

The Dean, who led the funeral of PC Sharon Beshenivsky, said the two-day course helped him to find out more about the rural parts of the Bradford district.

One of the other leaders on the course was Sergeant Colin Nesbitt, who works for the team reviewing department for the Police Service in Northern Ireland.

He explained that he decided to come and take part in the two-day tour after reading about the scheme on the Common Purpose website.

"I thought it would be good to come to a place as a stranger with very few preconceived ideas," he said. "There are many common issues between Northern Ireland and Bradford and many similar problems so I was able to share some of my experiences.''

Common Purpose was set up in Bradford in 1990 and it has been running two-day programmes since 2002. Since its inception 45 people have been on this short course.