A hunt has begun for a top man or woman to turn Bradford's hopes and dreams of becoming Europe's Capital of Culture into a winning bid.

The Council is advertising for a £60,000-a-year European Capital of Culture director to drive forward a bid for the coveted crown.

With competition hotting up from other major cities including Liverpool, Newcastle and Gateshead, Birmingham and Belfast, the Council and its partners have decided to find an officer totally dedicated to the job.

City leaders are convinced that Bradford can rise and learn lessons from the recent riots to follow cities including Florence and Athens to the prestigious title.

A win would bring worldwide tourists, thousands of jobs and massive investment. All bids must be in by March next year and Bradford must produce an event of excellence and year-long programme of attractions.

Prime Minister Tony Blair will choose a winning bid based on Department of Culture, Media and Sport criteria, which will then go for formal adoption by all 15 EU culture ministers in 2003. The winning cities will rule in the year 2008.

An advertisement placed by the Council is for an officer with a two-year contract, who would base the bid on a massive consultation exercise which brought 1,000 ideas. It asks applicants: "Can you now turn the dreams and hopes of the people and players into a winning bid, which will play a significant part in the regeneration of the district and show Europe and the rest of the world how Bradford is working to address complex issues of the 21st century in a positive and innovative way?"

Applicants are being told they should have a background in cultural industries and experience of working in similar bids. They should also have contact and experience to be able to secure big private sector sponsorship and support from major figures in the cultural industry.

Today, the Council's director of marketing and communications Owen Williams, said: "The level of competition from other cities is growing and we are looking for the best person to project manage the bid."

Council leader Councillor Margaret Eaton said they wanted an officer whose sole job would be to look after the bid rather than have other people doing it along with other duties.