Youngsters are singing the praises of Bradford's "straight canals and big strong mills" in an anthem for the district.

Sixty pupils from two schools have joined forces to create a CD about life as a Bradfordian and their optimism for the future.

Called Faith in Our Future, the song's lyrics feature the diverse landscape of the district and its distinctive industrial heritage.

And the children from different parts of Bradford - Barkerend Primary, in inner-city Barkerend, and Hotfield Primary in rural Silsden - helped pen the verses at a huge brainstorming session with Addingham-based singer-songwriter Ramon de Juan.

Ramon said he was impressed with the children's ideas and enthusiasm.

"We looked at what stands out in Bradford and its landmarks, such as Lister's Mill which dominates the city's skyline, and they agreed that features like this should be included," he said.

"The children come from very different parts of the district and they wanted to make sure that the diversity of Bradford's landscape was also featured."

Funded by Bradford Council and Bradford Vision, the project was organised by the Schools Linking Project which draws together schools from different areas of the city.

The creation of the song - which also calls for people to "forgive and work with love" - and other joint events between the schools have resulted in the development of new friendships.

Eleanor Cheshire, a Hotfield Primary pupil, has become good friends with Urfa Shah, a pupil at Barkerend Primary.

Eleanor said they all enjoyed taking part in the project.

"It's been really good to help write and sing a song about where we live and I've also made new friends like Urfa who I look forward to seeing when our schools get together," she said.

Urfa said: "I'm pleased with how the song has developed and the words and music are both very good. It's been good fun."

The group spent a whole day recording at The Priestley Centre for the Arts, in Chapel Street, Little Germany, and discussing ideas for the CD cover.

Schools Linking Project manager Angie Kotler said the CD was a good example of the work which could be done when uniting children from different backgrounds.

"The Schools Linking project is going from strength to strength and we are now expanding into secondary schools," said Miss Kotler, who was last year given a Bradford Council Community Harmony Award for helping to break down cultural barriers and build bridges between youngsters.

Copies of the disc, which was recorded with the help of Paul Siddall of Pro-Audio Systems in Bradford, will be available for schools to sell to raise money for a charity of their choice from the end of next week.

The song was initially performed for a 400-strong crowd at the launch of the Bradford Faiths Forum.

Sally Collins, Bradford Vision's community cohesion director, said: "We thought the song was so good it deserved to be made available to a much wider audience.

"The lyrics - and the way the children contributed to the song - reflect the optimism many young people feel about their future in the district."