Community-minded legal eagles headed a conference in Bradford yesterday to attract more ethnic minorities to the law profession and dispel myths about Bradford.

Young people from schools and colleges gathered to find out more about the Crown Prosecution Service and raise their ambitions.

About 50 youngsters attended the seminar at the Victoria Hotel to talk to representatives from the CPS and Probation Service and hear from successful solicitors and barristers.

Head of the CPS's Criminal Justice Unit, Nigel Cowgill, said: "Following the Bradford riots we have set up an initiative to try to break down any racial barriers there may be and promote awareness of what we do, among people from ethnic minority communities.

"This was a chance for people to find out what we are doing, talk to role models from their communities who are working in this field and find out their career opportunities."

Lorrayne Synmoir, also from the Criminal Justice Unit, said the event had been organised in light of recommendations made in the Ouseley report looking into problems in Bradford.

"It is about the CPS and the Bradford education department working in partnership to promote equal opportunities for young people in Bradford."

Abbas Shah, 21, a voluntary youth worker, said he learned a lot from the seminar.

"I found it quite interesting and quite inspirational. We heard from a lot of different people who struggled to get where they are and it has been worth it."

Bob Jones, LEA Inspector adviser, said the event was to show students the way forward. "It is really trying to show students through using role models the value of education in their personal aspirations. Also we want to show that there are companies which are desperate to recruit from ethnic minorities."

Another event is planned for December 11 to attract more businesses and companies