The hunt is on to find a dynamic leader to take charge of a multi-million pound regeneration for deprived Manningham and Girlington.

Bradford Council is advertising for a chief executive to head a programme based on a £9.7m award from the Government's Single Generation Budget.

Part of the job will be to attract extra funds from Europe and other sources. The programme focuses on training, education and jobs and was seen as one of the solutions to the Manningham riots in the summer of 1995.

Bradford Congress - made up of the district's main organisations - then set up the high powered Bradford Commission to examine the causes.

It found the roots lay in joblessness, social isolation and poor educational achievement.

But the programme's first chief executive Stephen Boyle left last October for a top job in Liverpool, heading a £40m programme. Regeneration expert Nadim Qureshi stood in, but has now been appointed chief executive of Regen 2000 - another scheme funded by a £28.5m award from the Single Regeneration Budget to breathe new life into the Barkerend area.

Acting chief executive for the Manningham and Girlington scheme Tim Whitfield said: "It is a challenging job and needs somebody up to the challenge of pushing forward a long-term programme. It needs someone experienced in dealing with a diverse community.''

Councillor Simon Cooke said: "It is essential we deliver the best through good and professional leadership. I think at the moment there is great sensitivity in that area. I hope we can get something moving on the Manningham Mills redevelopment. There is an important gap which needs to be filled by the right person."