A Bradford pressure group is seeking a high-powered officer who could spearhead the drive to bring harmony across the district.

Bradford Vision, made up of representatives from organisations including the Council, Health Authority and Police, is advertising across the country for a new Chief Executive.

The £75,000 top officer will replace the previous Chief Executive Martin Garratt. He left after just six months to become director of the Greater Cambridgeshire Partnership.

Mr Garratt's last months with Bradford Vision have been spent co-ordinating an action plan following the hard-hitting Ouseley report on the district's race relations which was published after the riots in the city last July.

Lord Ouseley led a team which concluded that Bradford was a city of fear and division and he recommended a "people's plan" to unite the district. Applicants to replace Mr Garratt, who was appointed on a £60,000 a year salary, are being asked if they can lead Bradford's organisations and people into a wider and deeper partnership towards community cohesion.

They are being told: "Recent images of Bradford tell only one part of the story - most people who live and work here do so harmoniously. The district does face serious challenges but Bradford Vision believes it is overcoming these by releasing its greatest resource - the full potential of all its people."

Bradford Vision says it wants a "creative and resolute achiever" able to take a high profile on contentious issues.

Leader of Bradford Council, Councillor Margaret Eaton, said: "The Government has placed a very high demand on local strategic partnerships and if Bradford Vision is going to be a success, it needs a high powered person to relate to all the major players, such as the health authority, police and business.

"We need someone who has clout and is a good communicator and can get all those organisations to work together."

Today leader of Bradford Council's Liberal Demdocrat group Councillor Jeanette Sunderland said: "We have a recent history of getting some very good and competent people into posts in Bradford and I am sure the response here will be the same."

Vision member and leader of the Council's Labour group Councillor Ian Greenwood said it was vitally important to appoint someone who could take the district forward with strength.