Athletes from across Bradford are going for gold.

A team of sportsmen and women will be setting off tomorrow for the Special Olympic Games in Cardiff.

The 40-strong squad - the biggest team in Yorkshire - will join a further 150 athletes to represent the region at the nine-day event.

They were given a big send off by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq, pictured centre, who wished them good luck.

Olympian Heidi Karaba, of Heaton, said she was excited and looking forward to taking part.

"I hope to do Bradford proud," said the 31-year-old swimmer, who has Downs Syndrome.

"But while I'm there I will remember that it's the taking part that counts and if I can't win then I'll be brave in the attempt."

Events will include athletics, swimming, power lifting, golf, bowls and ten pin bowling.

At the 1997 Special Olympics in Portsmouth the city's team brought back 38 medals - 16 gold, 13 silver and nine bronze.

Bradford Sport and Recreation Association for People with Disabilities (BSRAPD) raised more than £20,000 to ensure the city had a strong representation at the games.

A £10,000 donation came from the former Bradford Training and Enterprise Council, £6,000 was raised at a BSRAPD dinner and the rest was the result of charity events.

Pauline Montgomery, chairman of BSRAPD, said: "We are grateful to everybody who has made this possible, from companies and individuals who made generous donations, to Bradford Council which provided training facilities.

"The team has been in training for this for the last four years and we're sure they will do us proud."

Andy Parkin, BSRAPD, will be the Yorkshire team's manager.

"It's a 24-hour job and well worth it, especially when you see people taking part and thoroughly enjoying themselves," he said.

The squad will be welcomed back by the Lord Mayor in Centenary Square on Friday, August 10, followed by a party hosted by the Midland Hotel.