An Oxford University graduate is to encourage Bradford firms to get involved in their communities in a role believed to be one of the first of its kind in the country.

Anthony Waddington, 29, has quit London to take up a new post of business broker created jointly by Bradford Vision and national organisation Business in the Community.

He plans to ask small and medium sized firms to provide resources and facilities free of charge for community groups and urge employees to take part in volunteering schemes.

"My key objective will be to create links between businesses and community groups in the most disadvantaged areas of the district," said Mr Waddington.

"Many large companies already have strong links with the communities in which their premises are based and where many of their employees live. But the future sustainability of business activity in communities depends upon more small to medium sized firms getting involved."

Mr Waddington formerly led a project team providing energy use and conservation advice to small and medium sized companies in 13 South London boroughs and has also been a marketing manager for an organic farm produce company.

His ideas include encouraging mentoring schemes where business leaders are paired with community group leaders to share their experiences and offer practical support.

"At present there are more requests from communities for assistance than there are businesses available to meet them," said Mr Waddington.

"We are especially keen to encourage more black and minority ethnic companies and communities to work together."

Sharmila Gandhi, Bradford Vision chief executive, said the new post was part of the group's remit to sustain and create jobs and boost the economy.

"Encouraging local businesses to build strong working relationships with communities will yield many benefits, both for the companies and for local people," she said.

Jackie Bird, director of business development at Business in the Community which works with hundreds of firms around the UK to demonstrate how they can help out in deprived neighbourhoods, welcomed the scheme.

"The broker will enable us to deliver programmes which give staff from local businesses opportunities to develop new skills through a wide range of activities, while creating more prosperous and safer communities," she said.

"We are delighted to be working closely with Bradford Vision and Bradford Chamber of Commerce on this programme."

The scheme is supported by Bradford Chamber of Commerce and backed by funding from the Neighbourhood Renewal and European Regional Development funds.