Yorkshire Forward has pledged to invest £60 million to breathe new life into Bradford over the next three years.

The biggest single investment by the Government agency is £20 million into the new Urban Regeneration Company which under chief executive Maud Marshall is spearheading the renaissance of the city centre.

Other projects include £4 million for the long awaited redevelopment of historic Manningham Mills.

There will also be multi-million pound contributions to the remaining schemes funded by the Government's Single Regeneration Budget and £1.75 million for an innovative food technology park.

It would house food producers, provide training and include facilities for fledgling businesses to set up. Yorkshire Forward is also contributing to the Connect the City project which will involve new city road schemes and widespread demolition to pave the way for the £200 million Broadway shopping scheme.

The Government's representatives were attending the Council's regeneration and culture scrutiny committee - which is open to the public - at 6pm at City Hall tonight.

Committee chairman Andy Mudd said: "Yorkshire Forward is absolutely crucial to the regeneration of the district and the fact that they are coming to a scrutiny committee demonstrates their commitment to working with the Council. This is a great opportunity for members."

Geoff Needham, Yorkshire Forward's head of West Yorkshire, was spelling out the multi-million pound commitment to Bradford at tonight's meeting.

He was being questioned by members about schemes, job predictions and Bradford's share of the funding cake.

Mr Needham said £65 million would be spent in West Yorkshire in the current year, with £23 million going to Bradford.

He added that a new West Yorkshire partnership board, including council leaders and senior councillors, board members of the chambers of commerce, and universities, had been set up.

There will also be an observer from the Regional Assembly at the first meeting in Bradford on September 18.

Mr Needham said the re-birth of the city centre would be the catalyst for a "strong, vibrant and competitive district wide economy".