Prince Charles should be crowned King in Bradford, a leading academic said today.

The controversial proposal was tabled by Dr Ian Bradley, senior lecturer in Practical Theology at the University of St Andrews, who said Bradford would be an ideal place to celebrate a new monarch coming to the throne.

Dr Bradley said London should play a lesser role during the next Coronation with a more culturally diverse city, which was more representative of Britain, hosting a second ceremony. And, he says, Bradford fits the bill perfectly.

As the country remembers the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, 50 years ago, many people are turning their thoughts to the day when Charles succeeds his mother to the throne.

Dr Bradley said: "Somewhere with a notably diverse population, substantial minority faith communities and strong Commonwealth links, such as Bradford, would be particularly suitable as the venue for such a ceremony."

The respected academic insists he is serious about the proposal and added: "I have floated the idea at various seminars and I think people have been interested in taking part of the service out of London."

The plan has caused such a stir that Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe, who is vice-chamberlain of the Royal household, is to put the suggestion to the Queen at his regular lunch-date with her on Thursday.

Although it is not protocol to talk about the next Coronation before the current monarch has died, Mr Sutcliffe said he welcomed any idea which could promote Bradford and pledged to raise the matter. Dr Bradley's suggestion was that a Christian service still took place in London, but a more multicultural celebration was carried out in Bradford.

Philip Lewis, the Bishop of Bradford's adviser, said: "I think anything which gives Bradford a high profile would be interesting."

But he added that Bradford Cathedral was "not Westminster Abbey", and the Bishop himself, the Right Reverend David James, said: "As much as I think Bradford is the centre of the universe and is the most exciting multi-cultural city in England, Westminster Abbey is the historic place for our monarch to be crowned."

Dr Bradley re-iterated that his plan was for a "two-part Coronation" - a church service in Westminster Abbey and a ceremony more for the public in Bradford.

He said: "We need to detach some of the elements from the Coronation service to make it more representative of modern Britain's culture rather than just as a service in Westminster Abbey.

"If the monarch has got to appeal to all faiths then this seems the kind of way we have got to go, not for the reasons of political correctness but for the reason of what we are in the UK - culturally diverse."

Bradford's first Asian Lord Mayor, Mr Mohammed Ajeeb, called the idea "laudable" and said of Dr Bradley: "At least he's talking with sincerity about Bradford's communities despite all the difficulties."

Ashwani Kumar Gautamcrrt, president of the Federation of Hindu Temples, said: "I think it is a wonderful idea. It would bring the community together and it would be a tremendous boost for Bradford.

"It would be such a positive step, I can imagine it doing a lot of good for all the people of Bradford. Let's hope this idea comes off."

T&A opinion