Bradford's Lord Mayor is celebrating the city's diversity by embarking on a whirlwind series of cultural diary dates.

Councillor Allan Hillary set himself a mission to meet as many of Bradford's different nationalities as he could in his 12 month term of office, to highlight the city's cultural richness.

He was amazed to discover there were around 60 nationalities who had made their home in the district since the 1940s and he said each and every one of them had helped make Bradford a vibrant, diverse city.

Five months into his term as civic leader, he has hosted five receptions at City Hall, so far meeting with Italians, Serbians, Poles, Latvians and Ukrainians, with another two receptions planned before Christmas for Estonians and Lithuanians.

"There's no way I'll get round all 60 plus of them but I hope to meet as many of the nationalities as I can before my year's out," he said.

"I'll keep on encouraging every Bradfordian to acknowledge and accept all the wonderful, many cultures we have in our city and realise just how rich we are because of them.

"Community cohesion is the way forward for Bradford. We must all live together but at the same time recognise it's important we keep our own culture, faith and heritage alive and not impose it on others.

"Despite our cultural differences we must touch each other's lives as Bradford-ians: that's what unites us. We should be proud of who we are and be aware of other people's contributions to the city."

At the cultural receptions, Coun Hillary meets between 30 and 70 representatives, from faith leaders to community group co-ordinators, and other individuals who have put something in to Bradford over the years.

He said: "I've been touched, moved and amazed by all the people I have met so far. I hope that by hosting these receptions I might inspire others in the city to talk to their neighbours and be enriched by the experience.

"Out of all the communities I have met, there is a very strong ethic of family life, providing for each other and working hard. If every Bradfordian adopted that ethic then this city would have a very bright and secure future."