Improving the way business support is marketed and delivered and strengthening links between schools and industry will be key to improving the economic fortunes of the region.

They were the priorities identified by Bradford Chamber of Commerce as part of a review of Yorkshire and Humber's economic strategy document.

The business representative organisation took part in the recent review of the ten-year strategy and fed views in to the regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward.

The strategy, with its framework of changing Yorkshire into a world-class region, includes six cross-cutting themes with ten top priorities to help economic development.

Bradford Chamber said that business support was crucial, particularly in light of Yorkshire Forward now taking over the running of the Business Link service.

And it stressed that improving links between schools and business was important to increase understanding of and interest in entrepreneurship.

Targeted training on the skills needed by business is also necessary to achieve maximum effect on the region's economy, it said.

Chamber president Roland Clark, a partner with accountants Horwath Clark Whitehill, said: "Martin Havenhand Yorkshire Forward's chief executive asked us some time ago to get involved in the review and we are happy to put forward suggestions that can help improve the status for all in Yorkshire, not just the business community.

"But without the right features in place, including signposting, a response service, labour market support and understanding by young people of what it means to be in business, then the job of catching up with the south-east becomes even harder."

The Chamber also requested a clearer analysis of how northern regions will link up to reduce the north-south differential in the economy.

Mr Clark added: "The comments we have made are not criticisms, as we appreciate that it's a tough task to get Yorkshire to become a world-class economy.

"Conducting an annual review of the RES in this way shows that Yorkshire Forward is prepared to listen and take on board suggestions for improvement."

Yorkshire Forward is expected to include many of the hundreds of suggestions in a revised strategy.