Delegates from the Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Christian faiths are meeting on Saturday to discuss ways of improving links between the communities.

The Bishop of Bradford, the Right Reverend David Smith, is due to give the keynote address at the Thornbury Centre meeting, taking place against the background of the recent clashes between Asian and white youths.

One of the conference organisers is the Rev Solomon Joseph from the Church of South India, who said it would provide a valuable opportunity to bridge gaps.

He said: "The theme is a person's faith in a multi-faith context.

This type of conference can help to break down barriers but it is a very, very slow process.

You have to bring awareness of different faiths and encourage people to get together.

"This type of conference is a good chance to bring people from different faiths together and ask them to get involved for the sake of a peaceful life for the people."

Members from the different faiths will give their views during speeches at the conference.

The conference is due to start with a multi-faith religious worship session, which is the culmination of four meetings which have taken place around Bradford since last November.

Mr Solomon is working on behalf of the Thornbury Mission Partnership Project and came to Bradford from southern India last June, as part of a three-year programme.

He said: "This will be an opportunity for communities to listen to the concerns of each other and come together with a plan of action for what we can do in our respective communities to make Brad-ford a better place in which to live.

"The previous four meetings were very successful and at least 50 people were at each of them.

We hope this conference can continue on from the good work which has already been started."