Bradford businesses from one of the city's busiest streets are leading a new initiative designed to ensure a safe and profitable future.

Local shop owners started Leeds Road Vision (LRV) in February, before the recent riots, as a multi-cultural group to promote enterprise in the area and defuse any potential problems.

Attracting more than 30 companies, along with religious leaders, schools and community groups, LRV was initially set up to celebrate the diversity of cultures working together along the street.

But the racial violence earlier this month shocked the group, as chairman Nasrina Malik, Community and Safety Health manager for Bradford Council, explained.

"We've been lucky in the Leeds Road Gateway because we have a rich mixture of businesses, cultures and religions and we've always got along with each other and just got on with it.

"But when something like the riots happens it makes you appreciate how special that is and how lucky we've been, so we're now trying to increase the level of communication between different groups."

Last week the group held a 'breaking barriers' evening where business leaders mixed with representatives from the Abubaker mosque, the Hindu Cultural Society, St Margaret's Church and the Bangladeshi community.

The Vision also aims to spruce up the image of firms along the Gateway so it can succeed in persuading more passing motorists to pull over and shop.

To join the group or to find out more contact Ms Malik on (01274) 754165.