Bradford could be the venue for the Special Olympics in 2005.

Council leader Margaret Eaton was due to put a notice of motion to the Council today for consideration of the feasibility of a bid.

About 5,000 people took part in the Special Olympics in Cardiff last year with athletes from Brad-ford and Keighley scooping top honours in a variety of categories.

The Special Olympics is the largest sports organisation for disabled people in the world.

Today Anne Hawkesworth, executive member for the environment, said the seed of the idea has been planted.

"It is very much early days but we were asked if we wanted to bid and we said we would like more information," she said.

She said that hosting the Games would be a major boost for the city and show its commitment to sports and to disabled people.

"It would very much say that we are committed to sports and to special people," he said.

"We would hope that the bid would help us to project a positive image for the city.

"It would also enhance our Capital of Culture bid."

She claimed the current impasse with Bradford Bulls over the redevelopment of Odsal Stadium is not a major stumbling block to any chances for a bid.

"At this stage we are wanting to find out what facilities would be needed, what the financial constraints would be," she said. "There is a lot of time until 2005 so we are looking to the future in terms of facilities."

But Andy Parkin, development officer at Bradford Sport and Recreation Association, said he is surprised that Bradford is interested in bidding.

"I am surprised that Bradford is interested in bidding given the fact that we don't have any suitable facilities in the district," he said.

"The Special Olympics are a major Games and the last one was held in Cardiff which is a capital city with a lot more resources than Bradford."

Informal meetings will be held with interested parties at the end of August with the deadline for submission of formal bids at the end of September.