Internet support for neglected firms in socially-excluded areas could be on way after a Bradford firm launched a bid to secure £800,000 worth of Government funding.

SME-Zone plans to initially employ six people and create up 24 projects at two centres in Bradford providing Internet-based support for small firms in the area.

Owner Aftab Khan said ethnic minority businesses would be a key focus of the company and claimed the work could help hundreds of firms.

He said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for small and medium-sized companies in Bradford.

"Our project will be complimentary to business support services provided by existing agencies.

"This will ensure that Bradford's businesses will receive comprehensive and professional support and develop their business as well as creating jobs for the district."

The company has applied for the two years' funding from the Government's Phoenix Fund which gives support to projects looking to help regenerate deprived areas.

After the funding finishes, the applicants are expected to become self-financing.

SME-Zone will provide Internet facilities for business during the day and evening and at weekends, the latter two periods which Mr Khan says are not filled by existing training agencies.

He said: "Weekends and evenings are the time most owners of small and medium-sized firms are free to use the Internet.

"Lots of small firms are neglected because they are not big enough to qualify for help from training bodies.

"I have worked in Training and Enterprise Councils and Business Link groups for about 20 years so I know the gaps which exist.

"We will also be creating a directory of Asian businesses in the area which at the moment does not exist."

If the bid is successful when the Phoenix Fund decides by December 20, then Mr Khan hopes to roll the scheme out on a regional basis by working with various agencies.