Bradford is at the centre of a pioneering project which will create thousands of jobs in the electronics industry.

The Regional Innovation Strategy's Electronics Sector has been given the go-ahead for a £7 million plan to help set up and develop small to medium firms in the region.

Bradford, with one of the biggest number of electronics firms in Yorkshire, is to be the base for a Business Development and Skills Training Centre of Excellence which will give the region's electronics industry a boost.

Hundreds of jobs will be created in the city in the next few years thanks to the project, which is being led by Dr John Duffy, managing director of Bradford electronics firm Pulsonic Technologies.

The project aims to develop the centre, finding finance to assist business start-ups in the electronics sector, cash to develop new products and assistance with marketing and exporting.

The Electronics Sector is one of 12 arms of the Regional Innovation Strategy which was set up with Government funding to boost firms and create jobs in the region.

Bradford leads the way on two sectors - textiles and engineering. Dr Duffy said today: "We have been given the go-ahead for the project and are looking round for a suitable building for the centre." One possible site is the Victoria Building on Thornton Road, Bradford, owned by Bradford & Ilkley Community College.

But his preferred choice would be to build a new centre on the Euro Cam Estate off Mayo Avenue.

Backing is coming from the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, Bradford & District Training & Enterprise Council, Bradford & Ilkley Community College and Bradford University

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