Bradford is poised to become a leading centre for digital industries with the opening of a facility to help start-ups.

A new incubation unit is being opened at the Innovation Centre in Angel Way, Listerhills, to nurture entrepreneurs and fast-growth businesses set up to exploit creativity and innovation in digital technology.

The new unit, part of the West Yorkshire Incubation Network, is funded by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and managed by New Media Partners, based in Manchester and Glasgow.

New Media Partners managing director Danny Meaney said the aim was that, by August, the 20,000 sq ft centre would host up to 25 dynamic companies, each of which had the potential to turn over £1 million within three years. The businesses would be both local and from outside the area.

The Listerhills unit would consist of a mix of new and start-up companies, he said.

"The key difference between this and other digital incubators is that we'll be supporting people with a focus on developing technology platforms and devices as well as full motion video and animation with sound.

"Clients will spend up to three years in the incubator where they will have free access to high level support services to foster the commercialisation of ideas, intellectual property rights and company growth.

"This will be delivered by a team of experienced specialists in close collaboration with the existing support agencies in the area. This will include intellectual property management, sales and marketing, financial planning and market foresighting."

Mr Meaney believes there is a demand for such business support in Bradford. The district already has the successful bmedi@ network of firms working in the digital sector.

He said: "I'm impressed by the quantity and quality of local businesses involved in digital technology."