Radio station bosses were in a spin today after landing an out-of-the-blue windfall of more than £250,000.

Staff at Bradford Community Broadcasting Ltd got the good news in a phone call after making a bid for cash in June.

Mary Dowson, director at BCB, said: "When I read that the money was available for promoting positive images I thought this is just what we are about. But then you make bids and don't know if you are going to get anywhere - it is a very competitive business."

She said the money would help develop the core work of the station which promotes better relations through getting people involved in making radio programmes.

The programmes then tackle negative stereotypes and celebrate the cultural diversity of the city. As well as a base in Forster Square, the station has an extensive outreach programme with bases in Shipley, Whetley Hill and Little Horton.

"We want people to become programme makers, not just radio listeners, and we encour-age an exchange of views of some of the difficult questions in Bradford," said Mary.

BCB, which broadcasts on 96.7 FM, was started in 1992 as Bradford Festival Radio, then changed its name in 1994.

Last year it was one of 15 pilot community stations set up in the country and is the only one in the Yorkshire and Humberside area.

About 145 volunteers staff it and it is funded by Bradford Council and European money as well as Government cash.

In all it received £263,134. The award is part of a £15 million payout from the Home Office Connecting Communities Fund and is one of nine across the region. Others are:

£248,248 to South Craven Community Action which raises awareness of the needs of ethnic communities in the district; £112,827 to Bradford Youth development Partnership to improve relations through workshops, essay competitions and performing arts; £22,566 for the Royal Mencap Society in Bradford dealing with Asian families with physically and mentally disabled members.