A cross-cultural initiative which was set up to help people in trouble-torn Afghanistan has raised £10,000.

The Bradford Afghan Appeal was launched four months ago as a community project to strengthen links between Christians and Muslims.

And organisers are delighted that so many people embraced the idea and worked together for the common cause.

Fund-raising ideas have ranged from women selling hand-made jewellery at a Meena-bazaar, schools twinning to host events and a take-away owner donating proceeds from a special food offer.

Zulfiqar Ali, of Islamic Relief, said the money will be split between a canal irrigation project in Adraskan, near Herat, and rebuilding 40 schools in Kandahar.

"People have worked really hard in Bradford and there have been events in Skipton, Otley, Ilkley, Burley-in-Wharfedale and Keighley."

And more than 100 women tucked into a feast at the Millan Centre, Manningham, and raised around £750 in a venture organised by pupils of St Joseph's RC College and Feversham Muslim Girls School.

Katy Owens, a teacher at St Joseph's College on Cunliffe Road, described it as a "fantastic day" which had brought together women of all cultures.

"When we opened at 11am there were already 20 people at the door and it was busy right through to 2.30pm when we sold the last of the food."

Joyce Miller, consultant for Religious Education and Citizenship at Education Bradford, who attended the event, said it reflected the co-operation prevalent throughout the project.

"The meal is a wonderful example of twinning between two schools. It is especially important because they are faith schools which some people say is divisive and here they are working together doing something very practical and raising money for a good cause."

The appeal rose from the ashes of last year's riots and will channel money through Christian Aid, CAFOD and Islamic Relief.

Philip Lewis, interfaith advisor to the Bishop of Bradford, said it had given a green light for Christians, Muslims and others to work collaboratively in an area of shared concern.

"It has enabled young people and schools to work together and churches and mosques who can now build on the relationships which have been formed.

"We are very pleased at the final total but the important thing is that the money has been raised together as a community."