Thousands of people were today urged to vote in a crucial election for a board which will spearhead a massive regeneration programme.

The 12,500 people eligible to vote in Leeds Road, Barkerend, and part of the city centre received their ballot papers yesterday and must return their votes by August 10.

The board they pick will decide how to fund and implement a £71.4 million programme.

The massive regeneration scheme is expected to bring employment to job-hungry streets, better education and new training programmes.

Run-down houses and shabby streets will be improved and schemes will be launched to cut crime.

The people-led programme also aims to improve community health and well being. The organisation REGEN 2000 has been set up following the award of £28.5 million for the needy area from the Government's Single Regeneration Budget.

A regeneration programme for the whole area will cost £71.4 million but the board will seek matched funding from Europe and other sources to achieve it.

The board will not allocate grants but will invest in private, public and voluntary services to make all the planned improvements.

But the organisation will represent 'people power' because the majority of people on the 26 strong board will be from the community.

There will be three councillors and members representing faith organisations, health and police and other bodies.

The election is being organised by the Electoral Reform Society, which gives expert advice and help on elections.

People are being asked to vote for up to ten of the 41 hopefuls who have put their names forward. The elected board members will serve for two years.

Leader of Bradford Council's Liberal Democrat group, Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, a co-opted board member, said it was vital for people to vote for candidates they felt would best represent their needs.

"We are talking about huge potential for that side of the city and a programme which is going to have massive impact," she said.

Information about REGEN 2000 can be obtained by ringing Bradford 701130.

REGEN 2000 Chief Executive Nadim Qureshi said: "It is important for people to vote in this first important step."

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