Bradford's all-out bid to become the culture capital of Europe will be officially launched next month.

It follows a stirring message from Glasgow - the unlikely contender which won the title in 1990 - to "go for it" even if the odds seem stacked against you.

Bradford would follow in the footsteps of cities including Paris, Florence and Helsinki and become the international showpiece of cultural and creative life.

Eddie Friel, Chairman of the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board, will travel to Bradford to be a main speaker at the official launch of the bid at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television on November 25 from noon to 2pm.

Organisations from across the district have been invited and will be involved in drawing up the bid.

Today the Leisure Commit-tee chairman, Councillor Barrie Thorne, said Bradford wanted the title and was worthy of it. He said: "We need to bring jobs and culture to the district. We need to celebrate our many strengths. We have our weaknesses and part of our bid will be to address them."

Deputy Council leader Councillor Mohammed Ajeeb said: "I sincerely hope Brad-ford will be chosen. We are a multi-cultural district with much to offer the outside world."

Other early contenders for the prestigious title are Newcastle and Gateshead, Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol.

Each European union state will host a year-long City of Culture event between 2005 and 2019.

Government and European funding will help the successful city to host a multi-million pound programme of events during the year long reign in Britain in 2008.

The competing cities will have two years to work up their bids before the winner is announced in 2003. Criteria are expected to be announced before the end of the year.

The Bradford bid will involve its major assets, including the National Museum of Television, Film and Photography which had 94,500 visitors last year.

Bradford Festival and Mela, Europe's largest Asian orientated event, is also likely to figure in the submission.

During Glasgow's reign about 21,400 people were employed in arts-related projects and 5,700 jobs were created. It boosted Glasgow's economy by an estimated £3.3 million.

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