Past pupils of the former Bradford Boys and Girls grammar schools are attending an "ex-pats" event in London this week to learn more about the district's Capital of Culture bid.

Olympic gold medalist Adrian Moorhouse and film director Steve Abbott, who directed Brassed Off, are among the former pupils attending at the Grosvenor House Hotel in the capital.

The aim is to promote Bradford's European Capital of Culture 2008 bid and enlist the support of the former pupils, some of whom went on to achieve fame.

Those attending are all old boys and girls of the former Bradford Boys and Bradford Girls grammar schools, now Bradford Grammar School and The Girls Grammar School, Bradford, respectively.

"The event has been organised by the Bradford 2008 team in partnership with the Old Bradfordians Network in London and Bradford Grammar School," said bid team spokesman Farzana Khan. "Invitations have been sent out to former pupils and about 50 of them will be attending. Among them are Lords, knights, QCs, brigadiers, people working in the City, and high achievers in the arts and sport - people from all walks of life.

"Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Lord (Denis) Healey, who was a pupil at Bradford Boys, has been invited but has sent his apologies saying he is unable to attend.

"Members of the Network have already expressed a great interest in Bradford's Capital of Culture bid and this is a chance to let them know more about it. Once they started to learn more about the bid and saw the document they realised it is a very serious bid and were very impressed."

Bradford's culture bid director Paul Brookes will provide information about the bid, including details of recent events such as the London Embassy and the recent visits from and grilling by the judging panel. And chief executive of Bradford Council Ian Stewart will address the Network members, giving progress reports on developments in Bradford and talking about the 20/20 Vision.

l Bradford's Capital of Culture team was in London yesterday at the invitation of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Representa-tives of the team attended, along with members of bidding teams from other the cities.