Backers of the Park at the Heart project have appealed to Bradford citizens - young and old - to help fund it.

A foundation has been started by leading businessman Michael Ziff which hopes to raise £3 million through public subscription and significant other funds from private firms.

The move comes after Big Lottery Fund bosses last week turned down a bid for £24.5m to pay for the project designed to create a world-class city centre park.

Dr Ziff, chairman and chief executive of shoe giant Stylo Ltd, which is based in Apperley Bridge, said: "After such unprecendented support from the Bradford public there is an immediate need to deliver the Park at the Heart.

"This scheme is public realm on a European scale and is something different from any other UK city."

A campaign will start in the coming months in a bid to secure financial support from a target of 250,000 people in the Bradford district. They will be asked to give £1 a month for a year to the project to raise the £3m.

A major bank will be approached to help co-ordinate the campaign - set to officially start in the New Year. Businesses will also be asked to make significant donations.

Dr Ziff said residents young and old who supported Park at the Heart, now costed at a total of about £25 million, would have their names inscribed on a special plaque placed in the park's grounds. He said: "If you are a child today what would be better than visiting the park in 50 years' time, and being able to say there's my name - I helped create this park'."

Meanwhile, Bradford Council, Yorkshire Forward and English Partnerships have all announced they are committed to working together to explore how the bulk of the funding required - about £22 million - could be raised.

An emergency meeting of the Council's Executive will take place on Tuesday, during which councillors will discuss funding options.

Council leader Councillor Kris Hopkins said he hoped to be in a position to give further details on the finances which could be made available at the next meeting of the Executive on December 18.

"We will come back in December with the park plan defined," said Coun Hopkins, who is also leader of the Conservative group.

"The next important date will be the middle of next year when we start building it."

Balbir Panesar, president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is too good a project to let die."

Trevor Lewis, deputy chairman, of Bradford Centre Regeneration which is carrying out projects to revitalise the city centre, said: "We have the opportunity to create a stunning world class Park at the Heart of the city that will set Bradford apart from other UK cities. It is time to grab the chance with both hands and make it happen."

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