Peace campaigners in Bradford have received the surprise gift of a World Peace Flame Candle - and now want to spread the message to others.

Workers at the Commonweal Collection peace library, based at Bradford University, were astonished to receive the candle from two visitors to the city.

It took its light from the World Peace Flame lit in Wales in July 1999, from living flames flown from all the continents of the world, and united into one. One even came from Australia, lit from an aboriginal fire and flown thousands of miles by military aircraft to the international event.

Library staff now plan to light their candle for a short time each day and are inviting other organisations in Bradford to get involved.

Five million people and places around the world have so far taken lights from the World Peace Flame, including the Pope, Tony Blair, the Metropolitan Police, Swami Narayana Temple, City Mosque, the All Africa Peace Conference, the BBC, the Northern Irish authorities at Stormont and the G8 Summit.

The candle was brought to Bradford by Dutch woman Sorcha van Westerop, of the Life Foundation in Wales, a group of health professionals who work to heal trauma in war zones. She was accompanied by Bhaktar Daniel from the Hari Krishna Temple in Amsterdam. The pair turned up unannounced with their candle at the Commonweal, after hearing about the centre.

''We are absolutely delighted to give the World Peace Candle a home,'' said Chris Arber, outreach worker.

''It is an expression of the combined aspirations for peace of millions of people across the globe, and fits in perfectly with our own character, as a unique resource in the UK for materials on non-violence and peace.

''It's an external symbol, which is very powerful, of peace being passed on between people and between groups.''

She added: ''The candle is meant to be lit for a few minutes each day for peace. It would be lovely to think that more of these candles could be lit in Bradford.''

A World Peace Candle was also lit at a ceremony at BIASAN, Bradford Asylum and Immigration Seekers Support and Advice Network, which meets every Thursday at St Mary's Church. A group of children of asylum seekers and supporters lit the candle, and a rota is being drawn up to light it every week.

l Anyone in Bradford interested in having the World Peace Flame passed to them should contact (01274) 235218.