Council leaders fear much work has still to be done to tackle racism and bring communities together in Bradford.

Members of the city's Executive Committee talked candidly about the increasing number of racist comments in the city, during a debate at City Hall about the progress of the Community Pride not Prejudice Action Plan.

The plan, which outlines measures to bring harmony to the community with initiatives such as school twinning, was put together in response to Herman Ouseley's Pride not Prejudice report of 2001.

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, Lib Dem leader, believed the plan was not enough. She said: "I have never experienced the sort of talk that I am hearing at the moment.

"I am surprised to see increased use of racial terms. We have got to start talking about it in a more open manner.

"Tension is rising in the city and we need to put it into a much more political agenda. We wanted a community cohesion plan by 2003 and it is now February. I do not think we are tackling it."

Remarks made in neighbourhood forums had also shocked Councillor David Green (Lab, Odsal).

"People who think we are making progress in community cohesion should come into the neighbourhood forums. I came out of the last one somewhat shocked because of the comments - and the ward I represent is typical of Bradford."

Councillor David Ward (Lib Dem, Idle), portfolio-holder for education, was disappointed the delivery plan for community cohesion had come out 21 months after the 2001 riots.

"We have this debate today but nobody will mention the leaflets going out by the BNP," he said.

Labour leader Councillor Ian Greenwood stressed that they needed to provide the community "with a belief that it can move forward".

"If we don't engage with a large number of citizens in the district, it is meaningless. The vast majority believe we can live together and want to live together."

But Coun Barry Thorne (Lab, Keighley West) believed that tension between communities was an international problem.

"It is not just Bradford or Britain but worldwide. I just do not understand how people hate each other. The letters I get about asylum seekers are unbelievable."

Members agreed to integrate the activities in the Community Pride not Prejudice Plan into the Council's community cohesion plan.