Families launched a petition today aimed at getting a world class stadium for Bradford Bulls.

Their move follows a decision by Local Government Minister Stephen Byers to recommend a public inquiry into the planned stadium revamp.

The £60 million development would include a hotel, leisure facilities and a Tesco superstore which would provide the finance for a 26,000-seater, state-of-the-art rugby stadium.

The project would contain a park and ride scheme, which would create a link with the guided bus project in Manchester Road.

Objections have been received to the planning application by rival shopping giant Morrisons and other retailers who claimed the Tesco store would harm the city centre and other established shopping complexes.

But today Lena Hunt, 49, pictured, of Rathnell Street, Bradford, said: "The Bulls deserve the stadium because they've done so much for Bradford.

"People outside think everything goes wrong in Bradford. We should try to get it right for a change."

Mrs Hunt said her husband, Dennis, 49, and four of their grandchildren followed the Bulls.

She added they would take the petition around their estate and hoped to get a large number of signatures.

The campaigners will send it to the Government, hoping it will carry weight in the inquiry.

Bulls chairman Chris Caisley said: "I am absolutely delighted they are organising a petition for us. It's the best news I've had all week and I hope other people will do it as well."

The inquiry is expected to be held within the next six months and likely to take about three weeks. But the inspector in charge of the inquiry will then have to sift through the evidence before he reaches a decision.

Leeds-based developers Sterling Capitol had hoped to start work this year, ready for the Bulls to move back into their new stadium for the 2003 season. But the development will take a year to complete.