Global companies involved in two of Bradford's biggest development projects have pledged to give sub-contracts to the district's firms wherever possible.

Westfield, the company behind the Broadway scheme, and construction giants Costain, the preferred bidder for an £80 million project to demolish and rebuild three schools, set out their plans at a special construction industry lunch yesterday.

Representatives from the two companies said their schemes would create massive opportunities for contractors and sub-contractors from the district, with far-reaching benefits.

Richard Ellis, project manager for Westfield, said the Broadway construction would involve 60 separate work packages', including everything from groundworks to decorating.

He said Westfield had made a commitment to Bradford Council to create as many jobs as possible for people in the BD3 area.

Nicky McAlpine, hosting the construction lunch on behalf of Links 2, a branch of Invest in Bradford, asked Mr Ellis: "A lot of companies here are concerned about the timescale and when they can start to tender. Do we have a rough idea of when that will be?"

Mr Ellis replied: "It's very difficult to pin a time down. The company has a few decisions yet to make before pressing the button."

Earlier, Mr Ellis told a packed banqueting hall at the Midland Hotel that Yorkshire Water was completing sewer works on site before construction work could begin in the "second half of this year".

He said Westfield intended to open the centre for 18 hours a day so people living in the complex would have somewhere to go in the evenings.

Meanwhile, Philip Croston, regional estimator for Costain, said phase one of a major schools construction project would create "exciting opportunities" for them.

Costain, in partnership with Spanish firm Ferrovial, say they are the favourites to be awarded the main contract to rebuild Buttershaw High School, Tong School and Salt Grammar School.

Mr Croston said: "We will need people to carry out everything that goes into the make-up of a building floors, walls, plumbing, heating and so on.

"We believe local people will have a passion because they may have gone to that school or their children may go there. And we also think there will be less absenteeism if we use local people."

He said the plan was to start work in July and have the schools built in 18 months.

Miss McAlpine said: "The aim of the lunch was for contractors and sub-contractors to meet developers and bigger contractors to gain business.

"We want to link development companies in with local companies, encourage them to use local people and improve Bradford's economic prosperity."

It was the fourth construction lunch held by Links 2 and further events are in the pipeline.

e-mail: will.kilner @bradford.newsquest.co.uk