AN Ilkley District Councillor aims to use the town and other country areas in the district to counter Bradford's image as a riot-torn city.

The bid to promote the green fields surrounding the city is being made by Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford's environment boss.

She wants the Government to recognise that Bradford district is rural and to give grants to rural businesses.

Coun Hawkesworth said: "The thing that people don't recognise when they look at Bradford as a city of riots is that 60 per cent of the district is rural.

"The national image is of an urban area with problems but in fact we have fantastic countryside which should play a part in our bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2008."

The council will launch the "countryside city" at a conference on Saturday, January 19.

National organisations including the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and the Countryside Agency have been invited to attend and take part in workshops.

Rural businesses, including those which were hit by foot and mouth

disease, will also attend.

Coun Hawkesworth said: "Bradford simply isn't recognised as a rural area and misses out on Government funding because it is thought of purely as a big city. In fact we call ourselves a district in recognition of our countryside.

"Our rural businesses which are vital to our economy should also get help and support."

The conference will discuss the image and new legislation, which would allow parish councils to take over more services.

President of Bradford Chamber of Commerce John Pennington said: "When people think of Bradford, they do just think of the city centre. But in fact about two thirds of it is the most beautiful countryside in Britain.

"We tend to think the rural industries are OK but in fact their economy is not good."

Elaine Lawrence, who owns the White House restaurant on Baildon Moor with her husband, Rob, said: "I think the Government believes there are only cities in the North and that the only countryside is in the South."

Rob Simpson, the National Farmers' Union spokesman for Yorkshire, said: "We have long campaigned for more funding and more understanding of rural issues."