A powerful Government-backed company is expected to be set up to mastermind the long-awaited multi-million pound redevelopment of Bradford city centre.

The ground-breaking Urban Regeneration Company would bring a massive job boost to the district and allow Bradford to take its place as a top British city.

The independent limited company would be able to draw millions of pounds into the city and spearhead development on problem sites like Eastbrook Hall.

Its target will be to deliver a vibrant city centre with a thriving economy.

The Telegraph & Argus understands the aim is to also give Keighley, Bingley and Shipley their own strong identities as Airedale - a district to complement Bradford.

It is envisaged that they will be thriving towns, creating a robust district economy as a strong component in the region.

The Government aims eventually to create 12 Urban Regeneration Companies - and its regeneration agency Yorkshire Forward is giving priority to Bradford and Hull.

But both must submit bids based on the need for regeneration on a massive scale.

A strong plank in Bradford's case is expected to be the failure to bring to fruition the development of a number of important sites in the city.

Pilot companies are now being set up in Manchester, Liverpool and Sheffield .

And the Sheffield company - which is the first to get off the ground - has already unveiled a master plan for its city centre, supported by £100 million in Government and European funding, which is expected to bring millions of pounds more from investors.

Bradford Council will now work with Yorkshire Forward to produce a business case which could lead to its own company being set up as early as next April.

The board will be led by the private sector and is likely to be made up of top notch local and national regeneration experts and one leading councillor.

It could be chaired by a national or international figure and the Council would have to contribute funding for the operation.

The company's designation would mean it could tap into funding from sources including the Government and Europe as well as the private sector.

A small team of specialist staff would be responsible for attracting the funding, investment, assembling development sites and marketing them.

Next week's Executive Committee will be asked to approve proposals for preparing the bid in a report by assistant chief executive David Kennedy.

Council leader Margaret Eaton said: "It will create focus and momentum to create a modern, vibrant centre which will bring long term benefits to business, shoppers, investors and local people."

Today Heather Hancock, Yorkshire Forward's environment director, said: "We fully support a bid by Bradford for Urban Regeneration Company status. We look forward to working with the Council and other partners, including local businesses, to achieve this aim."

Councillor Simon Cooke, executive committee member for the economy said the company would also develop links with the existing regeneration programmes including the Little Germany Urban Village Company, the Trident and Goitside partnerships.

And if Bradford reaches the final stages in its bid to become European City of Culture in 2008 the company could trigger the development of prestige buildings which would draw world wide tourism.

Mike Cowlam, the Council's head of service in regeneration, said the set up would be like the Leeds Development Company which drew massive investment to the city.

He said it would cover the city centre, Little Germany and parts of Goitside and the first stage would be a master plan identifying development land which may include sites like Eastbrook Hall, the Conditioning House, Exchange Court and Millennium Gate in Leeds Road.

The company would be project manager of the sites, dealing with land acquisitions, attracting funds and offering organised packages to would be developers.

Bradford Council is this week expected to appoint a consultant to draw up a master plan for the entire city, including transport, open space, land use and architecture.

The consultant will work to a brief prepared by a team headed by internationally famous architect Lord Rogers and top economist Ann Power.

Mr Cowlam said that blueprint would be the base line for the regeneration master plan.