A Bradford College expert has been drafted in to help push through plans for Odsal Sporting Village in time for the 2012 Olympics in London.

Ronnie Todd is to work at Bradford Council one day a week for the next year. He is the man responsible for the College's new sports academies. And it is hoped he will be able to draw on these skills to get the Council's Odsal plans moving.

The sporting village includes a new stadium for the Bradford Bulls as well as a replacement for Richard Dunn sports centre. It is also intended to be a venue for a variety of sports - but the final mix has not yet been decided.

Mr Todd told the Telegraph & Argus it was an honour and a privilege to be asked to lend his expertise.

"My role will be to focus on discussions with the national governing bodies or sport and the amateur sports clubs in the district. We hope to create a great stadium for world-class sport. It's a fantastic opportunity to create a sports centre for the communities of Bradford.

"I will also be bringing an educational perspective to the project.

"The Odsal site has served the economic and social prosperity of the city for more than 200 years - we want to make sure it does the same for another 200."

He also spoke of pushing the plans forward in time to be included as a site for pre-games training camps when the London 2012 Olympics are held in this country.

Then there is the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.

If successful his secondment could continue for a further two years.

Head of the Council's regeneration, Councillor Andrew Mallinson, said: "At the last meeting we acknowledged that if there was a window of opportunity to push forward and deliver the Odsal Sporting Village, then the time is now what with the Olympics coming up and the Commonwealth Games.

"There are four significant obstacles - the complexity of the site, the make up of the type of facilities, the funding package and the setting up of a company to run it.

"But we are looking at a three-year turn-around. The sporting village could also be a base for 500 of the College's students on various courses."