A high-profile project to unite Bradford's different religious groups was launched yesterday.

Prominent figures gathered to celebrate the take-off of the Bradford District Faiths Forum at Bradford City's Valley Parade conference centre.

Architects of the umbrella organisation are optimistic that it will bridge gaps between the city's varied faith groups and enable them to work together at district and neighbourhood levels.

Inter-faith advisor David Jackson said: "It enables the faiths to speak to one another and develop one voice on issues that concern all Bradfordians."

Fiona Mactaggart, the Minister for Race Equality, Community Policy and Civil Renewal, gave the keynote speech on the theme of Faith in Citizenship.

She welcomed the creation of the forum which she said would be able to go much further in building links than existing structures like the Inter-faith Education Centre and the Standing Advisory Council For Religious Education.

Mr Jackson said: "People presumed that these bodies would look after issues to do with inter-faith affairs, but they only dealt with issues to do with religious education. We knew we needed more."

Brian Pearce, Director of the Inter Faith Network for the UK, said he had witnessed many benefits from more than 100 faith forums already running across the country and rejected criticism that they could be simply talking shops. He said: "It increases understanding between members of different faiths and provides communities with the opportunity to work together and engage with local authorities. It also establishes personal relationships, valuable in resolving issues."

A district-wide faiths assembly will meet twice a year to guide the forum. A liaison group, consisting of representatives from the main faiths, is to be set up.

During the launch, guests were entertained by schoolchildren from Barkerend Primary School, Bradford, and Hothfield Junior School, Silsden, who performed their Song for Bradford, specially written following discussion about what growing up in the district means to them.