Businessmen last night joined forces to try to boost the city's flagging trade caused by the devastating riots.

Boost Bradford Business, organised by club owner John Pennington, and supported by the Telegraph & Argus, attracted more than 100 traders to its first meeting last night.

Mr Pennington, president-elect of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: "Everybody is here because they care. Our worries are shared by us all and if you look at the cross section of people here then it's a start."

Topics under discussion included an advertising campaign to promote Bradford. Many people were concerned that visitor numbers had fallen drastically, while some even claimed that friends and relatives were too scared to enter the city.

Jackie Mitchell, of Lister House Nursing Home, Manningham, said: "We've got to make people proud again. I feel so down that after 35 years I am ashamed of being a part of Bradford.

"We should advertise the good points of the city. We've got to pull together to promote ourselves."

Former police commander Les Vasey said a zero tolerance policing programme was needed.

"After last time I can't believe we have not learnt any lessons.

"Bradford should have its own police authority to determine priorities for this city and not the whole of West Yorkshire."

Assistant chief constable Greg Wilkinson said he wanted city people to move away from the blame culture.

"Blaming the police for this isn't going to get us anywhere. The police didn't cause the riot and we have to try to find the causes. I want to work with this community and wouldn't come here if I didn't. Let's get together and get this place working properly."

Gerry Sutcliffe, Bradford South MP, said: "I am here as somebody who has lived and worked in the city all my life and care passionately and I'm proud to see so many people here. We can either walk away or we can stay and fight. We have an opportunity now to rebuild the city and we must take hold of it."

Mr Pennington said a newsletter would be distributed with information on future meetings.